SporTT gets $170 million of MOSCD budget
NIGEL SIMON
Senior multimedia reporter
nigel.simon@guardian.co.tt
The Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) will receive $170 million of the Ministry of Finance’s $603,127,500 million allocation for the Ministry of Sport and Community Development for the fiscal year 2025.
This is a vast increase on the $39 million that was given to SporTT in 2024 from the allocation of $763,603,000 million in a major restructuring of the government’s management of sport in T&T.
During his 2023 National Budget speech, the Minister of Finance said a new Sporting Commission would be created to take over the major responsibilities of SporTT, creating a special Sporting Commission to oversee a platform for the necessary funding of events and athletes and also to hold responsibility for helping the various national bodies, schools, and communities develop long-term plans and structures for the growth of sports.
In the new framework, SporTT was limited to the maintenance of national facilities, and while the Sporting Commission has not yet been established, the focus has remained on the refurbishment of sporting facilities, mainly via the monies provided to SporTT.
In delivering his record-tenth consecutive National Budget presentation on Monday at the Red House, Port-of-Spain, Minister Imbert highlighted some of the works completed thus far and still to be done: the execution of works to swimming pools; the improvement of indoor sporting arenas, inclusive of the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua ($1 million); and the development of regional recreation facilities.
Focussing on Sport and Community Development in his five-hour-plus delivery of the National Budget on Monday, Minister Imbert said the MSCD will continue to invest resources to further the growth and development of sport in the country, not only for creating and hosting professional athletes but also for recreation and fostering well-being.
He added, The MSCD will also take the necessary steps to expand and modernise the nation’s current sports facilities. Additionally, in order to foster and develop relationships with families and communities, the MSCD will carry on with providing spaces as community hubs where people may gather, connect, and bond.
The initiatives to be pursued in fiscal year 2025 are detailed below. Community Swimming Pools Swimming pools in communities encourage engagement among community members, neighbours, and children and also help to develop water sports and support leisure and recreational activities.
A sum of $10.6 million will be allocated for the Construction of Community Swimming Pools Programme, through which pools will be constructed in Rio Claro, La Horquetta, and Tunapuna. In order to ensure that the various existing community swimming pools operate properly, the sum of $2.7 will be allocated to the Upgrade of Swimming Pools.
With respect to the improvement of indoor sporting arenas, which he intends to be updated, well kept, and functional facilities that can host organised sports and leisure activities in a setting that is secure, comfortable, and conducive to health, Minister Imbert said they will continue to undergo improvements to provide better facilities and to draw more people and participants to sporting events.
The upgraded facilities he noted will allow both national and community sporting organisations to expand their activities and will be allocated a sum of $2.5 million.
A sum of $8 million will be allocated to the Development and Upgrading of Recreational Grounds, Parks, and Spaces, through which funding will be made available to commence upgrade works at the North Eastern Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande, and the Arima Velodrome.
The MSCD will also continue its program to improve existing facilities and recreational sporting sites located in high-demand areas as well as in rural areas. Another $5 million will be allocated to the Upgrading of Corporation Grounds Programme for the commencement of works on the outfield, cricket turf, drainage, pavilion, and practice nets at Carenage (Scorpion), Morvant (Coconut Drive), and Coalmine Recreation Grounds. Sport and Recreation 206 Government of the Republic of T&T Public Sector Investment Programme 2025.
Additionally, the sum of $12.9 million will be allocated to the MRDLG for the upgrade of recreational spaces in the 14 municipal corporations. Upgrade of Multi-purpose Stadia In keeping with its strategic goal of providing contemporary, secure, and well-equipped facilities, the MSCD will carry on with its programme of works to improve the multi-purpose stadia while ensuring that these competition sites adhere to worldwide health and safety standards. Thus, the sum of $24 million will be budgeted for the programme, Upgrade of Multi-purpose Stadia, to implement refurbishment and upgrading works at the Hasely Crawford Stadium; Jean Pierre Complex; Ato Boldon Stadium; Mannie Ramjohn Stadium; and Larry Gomes Stadium, while $5 million will be allocated to the Dwight Yorke Stadium upgrade project for the continuation of phase III works that will include installation of furniture and fixtures, rehabilitation of the athletic track and turnstiles, and refurbishment of the gymnasium.
<More remedial works for Dwight Yorke Stadium,
$36M for repairs for Jean Pierre Complex>
In highlighting the works to be completed, Imbert said, “To enhance our position as a premier sports-tourism destination, we have invested in the modernisation of national sporting facilities, including rehabilitation of the main field at the Ato Boldon Stadium, main field and warm-up track replacement at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, refurbishment of the Jean Pierre Complex, and remedial works to the Dwight Yorke Stadium at a total cost of approximately $105 million.
Phase IV works at the Dwight Yorke Stadium are also expected to commence with the upgrade of plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning systems, the supply and installation of a new elevator, and the augmentation of the scoreboard.
During his presentation, the Minister also noted that from January 1, 2025, persons who take part in sporting activities will be boosted by the removal of taxes and duties on sporting equipment, while the government will continue to assist sporting athletes via the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme, which offers financial support to elite athletes and their governing bodies.
The programme offers the following benefits:
Athletes ranked in the world’s top 10 positions qualify for the current maximum sum allocation of $250,000;
Athletes ranked in the world’s top 11–40 positions can receive up to $187,500; and
Athletes who medal in specific games and championships can receive, on a case-by-case basis, up to $75,000.
Looking ahead, he said, “The Jean Pierre Complex upgrade commenced in September 2024, with works covered under this major overhaul to include the refurbishment of all stands, indoor courts, media booths, offices, washrooms, and auxiliary buildings. Significant upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure will also be undertaken, with an estimated time for the completion of the project being eight months at a budget of $36 million.”
The minister also noted that this country will host the 2025 Carifta Games, an event anticipated to attract 840 athletes and officials, confirming our country’s position as a regional sports leader, stimulating tourism and job creation, as well as motivating a new generation of athletes.
Among the port facilities that have been refurbished or built are:
Diego Martin Sports Complex
Laventille Community Swimming Pool
Moruga Multipurpose Youth and Sport Facility
Morvant Community Swimming Pool
Maloney Community Swimming Pool
Mahaica Sports Complex
Skinner Park
D’Abadie/Malabar Community Swimming Pool
Dwight Yorke Stadium refurbishment
The MSCD will execute works to swimming pools in the following areas:
• Siparia – overhaul of main pool, upgrade of pavilion and perimeter lighting;
• Sangre Grande – upgrade of pavilion perimeter lighting and CCTV infrastructure;
• Diego Martin – improvement of pavilion, of CCTV infrastructure; • Laventille – repairs to the plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems and upgrade of CCTV infrastructure;
• Morvant – installation of kimmer and supporting systems;
• Maloney – repairs to plumbing and electrical systems and carpentry/ironmongery;
• Cocoyea, San Fernando – restoration of the pavilion, resurfacing of tiles, and improvement of external lighting, ICT and CCTV infrastructure;
• La Horquetta – upgrade of the perimeter fence and CCTV infrastructure and paving of the car park;
• D’Abadie / Malabar – construction of spectators’ pavilion and pool staff areas; and
• Couva – rehabilitation of the basketball court and pavilion, installation of perimeter lights and improvement of drainage infrastructure. Community Development: Building Strong, Sustainable Communities Sport and Recreation 205 Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Public Sector Investment Programme 2025
Ugrade works for the following indoor sporting arenas:
• Maloney – supply and delivery of backstops and minor court surface rehabilitation;
• South West Regional – supply and delivery of backstops, minor court surface rehabilitation and evacuation plans; • St. Paul Street Multi-Purpose Facility – roof overhaul, supply and delivery of backstops, overhaul of court surface and evacuation plans;
• Southern Regional – supply and delivery of backstops, minor court surface rehabilitation and evacuation plans;
• Central Regional – roof overhaul, provision and delivery of backstops, overhaul of court surface and evacuation plan; and
• Mayaro – roof refurbishment, works to the court, and bleacher, ICT and CCTV infrastructure upgrade and plumbing, electrical and external lighting repair.
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