Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (4 February, 2015) Minister of Tourism Hon. Moses Kirkconnell recently joined his Cabinet colleagues on a site visit to the Cayman Brac sports field, to view the most recent upgrades completed as part of a phased development plan.

The VIP group, which included the Premier and Deputy Governor, along with Ministers Archer and Bodden, viewed one of four new changing room buildings, which is equipped with lockers, showers, bathrooms and projection screens, and will be used for premier leagues matches.

Sports Instructor Mitchum Sanford who led the site visit explained that the upgrades were primarily intended to attract sports tourism opportunities, but also provided a modern and safe environment for local teams to engage in sports activities. “The long term goal is to derive as much benefit from the investment as possible, and one way of doing this is by structuring the sports programme to meet international standards. We are working hard to ensure that our programmes are operated and implemented at a level which is either on par with, or exceeds, the standards in other jurisdictions, as that is the best way to successfully attract universities, professional teams, scouts, and foreign coaches to utilise these facilities and share in our sporting programs. Every coach or foreign group that has visited Cayman Brac to participate in our programs speaks highly about the structure of the programs, discipline of athletes, quality of facilities, friendliness of people, and ease of implementation.” he said.

Previous enhancements undertaken at the sports facility over several phases of development include a FIFA-certified artificial turf surface; perimeter system lighting to enable matches to be played after dark; portable fencing and bleachers, and a new cistern and parking area.

“Sports tourism is the single largest driver of visitor travel outside of traditional sun, sea and sand vacations,” commented Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell. “With the airport expansion potentially adding new direct international flights and additional seats already available through Cayman Airways, we are well placed to market Cayman Brac as an ideal location for smaller tournaments. As well as providing a welcomed economic boost, sports tourism opportunities if timed correctly, would also help to reduce the impact of seasonality by increasing arrivals during off peak periods,” he said.

Speaking after a tour of the new facility Minister of Sports, Hon. Osbourne Bodden said: “The upgrades are transforming the sports complex into a magnificent facility which will present a myriad of opportunities for Cayman Brac. It was great to see that even with the enhancements in place the facility has maintained its strong community focus and is being run in a cost effective way by a hard working enthusiastic team.”

The next phase of development is expected to include a 400m athletics track followed in the future by a 25M swimming pool.

Photo Captions:
Minister Kirkconnell (2nd left) joins Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Minister Osbourne Bodden and District Commissioner Ernie Scott on a site visit of the Cayman Brac Playing Field.
Sports Instructor Mitchum Sanford shows plans for the proposed athletics track at the Cayman Brac Sports Field.
(L-R) Minister Marco Archer, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Minister Osbourne Bodden hear about recent upgrades at the Cayman Brac Playing Field from Sports Instructor Mitchum Sanford.