The Department of Sports (DOS) is pleased to welcome Mr. Darrel Evans Jr. as its Assistant Director of Sports – Facilities.

DOS Director, Mr. Kurt Hyde said: “In recent months, DOS with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, has made great strides in acquiring talented individuals to strengthen the organisational structure and improve its outputs. This most recent recruitment is no different as we were able to acquire the services of Mr. Darrel Evans Jr. 

His expertise comes highly appreciated with ageing facilities, higher demand for sports facilities, and a governmental mandate to attract more sports tourism. It makes me very excited to know that our facilities will receive the full attention they deserve, and I am assured that Mr. Evans’s skillsets will be reflected in the scheduled improvements and maintenance of our facilities.” 

Before taking up his appointment, the young Caymanian managed a portfolio of holdings for seven years, including a marina, sports complex, bee farm, golf courses and residential property owned by one of the islands’ leading developers.

In his new post, Mr. Evans is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Department’s 17 facilities across the Cayman Islands. These amenities include sports fields, basketball courts, the Truman Bodden Sports Complex and The Annex Stadium. His duties involve overseeing restoration projects, preventative maintenance, risk assessments, project managing and budget forecasting.

Mr. Evans said: “I am deeply passionate about both sports and facilities management.

Being able to now combine these interests and skills is a great opportunity for me to ensure that our Cayman Islands Government facilities remain world-class and representative of the product we want to show our community and visitors. In addition, with functional, safe and complimentary facilities, athletes will benefit more from consistent hard training and novices may be more inclined to make healthy changes and use our district facilities.”

Based in the DOS’s Truman Bodden Sports Complex offices, the Assistant Director of Sports – Facilities wants to create positive change and bolster the aesthetics and function of the public facilities he now manages.

One project that Mr. Evans is currently working on is reviewing options for resurfacing walking tracks in four districts, which will add to the usability of those amenities and reduce potential injuries for athletes in training. He is also working on the upgrades of the Annex’s restroom and changing facilities. 

Citing attention to detail and the ability to work in a demanding environment among his strengths, Mr. Evans thinks his strong working relationships with local vendors will significantly support the collaboration needed on future projects.

Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his young family and is a member of the Cayman Islands Regiment (CIR). Named the regiment’s ‘Top Recruit’ after the two-week induction training, and recipient of the Royal Dragoon Guards Challenge Medallion, Trooper Evans’s affiliation with CIR allows him to give back to the community and access transferrable teamwork and leadership training. 

Mr. Evans also trains for triathlons. He represented the Cayman Islands in Monterrey Mexico in 2014 and now competes in international Ironman races.