A view of the field and running track at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
PHOTO FINISH?
Grange confident of National Stadium readiness for Champs despite tight track repair timeline
WITH just over 30 days before the National Stadium hosts one of its two major athletics events this year, Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange says the resurfacing of the track will be completed in time, barring any potential setback.
The track, which was initially laid in 2011 by German manufacturers BSW Regupol, has created cause for concern among stakeholders over the last few months, with many believing it could potentially lead to injuries for the nation’s junior and senior athletes.
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The Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships from March 25-29 and the first staging of Grand Slam Track from April 4-6 are both scheduled for the National Stadium.
Although admitting the short time frame, Grange told the Jamaica Observer she’s confident the resurfacing will be completed and certified for the events.
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“I’m going to be issuing a statement between today and tomorrow with all of the details. I can’t give you much details at this time but just to say, ‘Yes, we’re going to resurface the track. We have a very narrow window to do it but we’re going to work around the clock to get it done — and we intend to have it ready before Boys’ and Girls’ Champs,” she said.
“We are in touch with [Grand Slam Track] — my Permanent Secretary Deanroy Bernard is handling those details. But, suffice to say, we have identified the funds that were quoted to us for doing the track and we are making arrangements to cover those costs. We are ensuring that when it’s done, it will also be fit for certification,” Grange added.
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The Observer has learnt that, following a recommendation from the Michael Johnson-led Grand Slam Track, track manufacturers Rekortan will be responsible for the resurfacing undertaking, though Grange couldn’t confirm whether Grand Slam would help to provide funding.
“I can’t give you those details now. We’re still working through those details but, very soon, we’re going to either issue a statement or call a press conference,” she said.
This newspaper has also learnt that Johnson’s team were heavily concerned with the track’s readiness in time for the event, after images surfaced online following the staging of Vybz Kartel’s concert, Freedom Street, on December 31.
In January Grange told the Observer that damage to the track did occur during the show but, following discussions with IPL, she refutes claims they failed to monitor and maintain the track’s integrity during the concert.
“I am told by the management of IPL that the track wasn’t damaged, the field had some damage. The track wasn’t damaged; most of the track was covered,” she said.
Despite having to accelerate its schedule, Grange says it was always her intention to resurface the track, especially with the current track’s warranty expiring in 2026.
“The track has been in bad condition. The last Racers Grand Prix, there was strong criticism of the condition of the track and I even got called by Usain [Bolt’s] management to say, ‘Boy, Minister, when is something going to be done about the track?’ I bore that in mind that there has been criticism over time about the track,” she said.
“Since I was able to convince the minister of finance to provide the funds — because the end of financial year is usually a very critical period — I said, ‘Let me grab the opportunity to get it done.’ Next year the warranty for Regupol would have ended so we would have been back anyway into a situation where we had to do something so I said, ‘Let’s do it now. Let’s not wait until the last minute.’ We’ll just work around the clock. Everything and anything that is humanly possible, we will do. The only thing I can’t control is the act of God.”
Grange also confirmed that, following the staging of Saturday’s Gibson McCook Relays, athletic events currently scheduled for the stadium prior to Boys’ and Girls’ Champs will be moved to Stadium East.
Those events would include the Carifta Games trials and the Eastern High School Championships.
