Grand Cayman, 27 January 2023 – The Department of Sports (DoS) is making considerable progress with prioritising the upgrades of its facilities in 2023, according to DoS Director Kurt Hyde. 

The announcement comes with the recent hiring of new Assistant Director of Facilities, Mr. Darrel Evans Jr. who is currently establishing a master plan. This plan will reflect the scope of the ongoing maintenance needs and necessary upgrades to the Department’s sites. Mr. Evans Jr. is already organising a number of capital projects which have been met with challenges due to COVID-related disruptions with the global supply chain in building materials. DoS upgrades include rebranding of its sports facilities which can already be seen at Cox Courts, Ed Bush Stadium and the Ronald Forbes playing field.

The refurbishment of the George Town Annex restrooms and changing rooms, along with the Ed Bush stadium changing rooms and softball field lights is also underway at this time, with an anticipated completion date of March 2023. Other remedial works currently underway include the Ed Bush grass field’s irrigation system, which has been reinstated along with field remedial works to provide another playing field for West Bay.

With plans to lengthen the Ronald Forbes field in North Side for adult football matches, these improvements will provide the Eastern districts with three fully functional fields, which will alleviate the heavy traffic at DoS’s George Town and West Bay fields. 

Other projects being reviewed include the resurfacing of district walking tracks, building changing rooms at the East End playing field and the resurfacing of the basketball courts. A structural assessment of the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, and Ed Bush playing field grand stands, and upgrading facility signage, are also being undertaken.

“DoS recognises the impact the lighting situation, is having on sports and we have already made significant steps to rectify the matter and we are looking at late March 2023, to get all the equipment on island and installed,” stated Director Hyde. With the procurement process completed, the Department of Sports looks forward to having these high-level LED lights in place to help enhance local sports, reduce our carbon footprint and attract more international sporting events to our islands,” he concluded, thanking the public for its patience and cooperation.

In other DoS updates, the department’s website is scheduled to be launch in the first quarter of 2023. The site will allow for online booking of facilities, and for clients to report issues to its maintenance team.

(MYSCH)