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Taken from www.jamaicaobserver.com
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Homeless NPL teams</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline>Seba, Wadadah without alternative venues</SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Observer Reporter
Friday, August 25, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>MONTEGO BAY - Come January 1 next year, National Premier League (NPL) clubs Seba United and Wadadah could find themselves without a home venue to honour their fixtures.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Observer learned this week that the Catherine Hall facilities that should have been the alternative venue for the teams would not be ready in time to accommodate the teams.
Jarrett Park, the regular home ground for the two teams, will be closed for repairs as of December 31 this year to host practice sessions for four teams taking part in the International Cricket Association's (ICC) World Cup 2007.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to an email from the owners and developers of the facility - the Corporate Relations Department of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) - given the nature of the project, work could be delayed for up to six months.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In answering a direct question on whether or not the Catherine Hall facility would be ready by January 1 to host NPL matches, the answer from the UDC's corporate relations department was a resounding "no".<P class=StoryText align=justify>The facility, which is to be named the Montego Bay Mini Stadium, has been in a state of flux for many years as only a state-of-the-art football field, a 400-metre Mondo running track and a perimetre fence have been completed in the first two of what is expected to be four or five phases.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Last week, the Jamaican government finalised a loan of over US$9 million from the Venezuelan government for the completion of Phase Three that, according to the email from the UDC, will include "seating, fencing, sanitary facilities, change rooms and lighting for the venue".<P class=StoryText align=justify>Earlier this year, an agreement was brokered between the ICC's Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Jarrett Park Management Committee (JPMC) that the teams would be allowed to use the Catherine Hall facilities while Jarrett Park is closed for cricket.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It was understood that the JPMC had received a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister giving the assurance that work on Phase Three of the Catherine Hall complex would have been fast-tracked to get it ready in time to accommodate NPL matches by January 1.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The email suggested that it could take at least six months before actual work begins.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"The process between tendering and start-up of physical works is under normal circumstances about six months. This project is subject to international tendering. which could further extend the procurement process", the letter read.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In its current state, the facility would not be suitable to host Premier League matches. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has laid down strict stipulations for all venues, which include a minimum of 1,500 seats, changing and bathroom facilities for players, officials and spectators, and parking facilities.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Despite its incomplete state, the Catherine Hall facility has already hosted a number of sporting events, including the last four stagings of the Milo Western Relays, The Western Prep School track and field champs and a number of football matches.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It is understood that the cost to the teams to use the facility on completion will be more than they are currently paying to use Jarrett Park.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The UDC was not in a position to quote what the cost would be, saying instead that "
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Homeless NPL teams</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline>Seba, Wadadah without alternative venues</SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Observer Reporter
Friday, August 25, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>MONTEGO BAY - Come January 1 next year, National Premier League (NPL) clubs Seba United and Wadadah could find themselves without a home venue to honour their fixtures.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Observer learned this week that the Catherine Hall facilities that should have been the alternative venue for the teams would not be ready in time to accommodate the teams.
Jarrett Park, the regular home ground for the two teams, will be closed for repairs as of December 31 this year to host practice sessions for four teams taking part in the International Cricket Association's (ICC) World Cup 2007.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to an email from the owners and developers of the facility - the Corporate Relations Department of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) - given the nature of the project, work could be delayed for up to six months.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In answering a direct question on whether or not the Catherine Hall facility would be ready by January 1 to host NPL matches, the answer from the UDC's corporate relations department was a resounding "no".<P class=StoryText align=justify>The facility, which is to be named the Montego Bay Mini Stadium, has been in a state of flux for many years as only a state-of-the-art football field, a 400-metre Mondo running track and a perimetre fence have been completed in the first two of what is expected to be four or five phases.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Last week, the Jamaican government finalised a loan of over US$9 million from the Venezuelan government for the completion of Phase Three that, according to the email from the UDC, will include "seating, fencing, sanitary facilities, change rooms and lighting for the venue".<P class=StoryText align=justify>Earlier this year, an agreement was brokered between the ICC's Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Jarrett Park Management Committee (JPMC) that the teams would be allowed to use the Catherine Hall facilities while Jarrett Park is closed for cricket.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It was understood that the JPMC had received a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister giving the assurance that work on Phase Three of the Catherine Hall complex would have been fast-tracked to get it ready in time to accommodate NPL matches by January 1.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The email suggested that it could take at least six months before actual work begins.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"The process between tendering and start-up of physical works is under normal circumstances about six months. This project is subject to international tendering. which could further extend the procurement process", the letter read.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In its current state, the facility would not be suitable to host Premier League matches. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has laid down strict stipulations for all venues, which include a minimum of 1,500 seats, changing and bathroom facilities for players, officials and spectators, and parking facilities.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Despite its incomplete state, the Catherine Hall facility has already hosted a number of sporting events, including the last four stagings of the Milo Western Relays, The Western Prep School track and field champs and a number of football matches.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It is understood that the cost to the teams to use the facility on completion will be more than they are currently paying to use Jarrett Park.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The UDC was not in a position to quote what the cost would be, saying instead that "
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