PM Commissions New Synthetic Track at Calabar High

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has commissioned a new synthetic track at Calabar High School noting that it is the first all weather, synthetic running track at a high school in Jamaica and anywhere in the English Speaking Caribbean. The official opening ceremony took place on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Calabar High School located at Red Hills Road in Kingston.

The $66 million project is a collaborative effort between the school and the Government through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), which contributed $20 million towards the purchase and installation of the new track.

The Prime Minister said the track is an important investment in present athletes and future stars adding that “There is information to show that training on a synthetic track minimizes the risk of injury for young athletes. This is important for their safety and health,” she said.

Mrs Simpson Miller noted that the Government has invested over $1.5 billion on sports infrastructure in the last 3 years. In addition, the Government has been doing its part to support the development of talent at the school and community levels. She highlighted the High School Sport Infrastructure Improvement Project initiated about two years ago in partnership with the SDF and the Sugar Transformation Project, which is aimed at improving facilities including playfield, courts, bathrooms and changing facilities in 24 schools across Jamaica.

“I thank the Calabar Trust for partnering with the Government to make this project a reality. I encourage Past Students Associations and Boards of Management of other high schools to see this as a great example of partnership in nation building”, said Prime Minister Simpson Miller.

The Project commenced in June 2015 and was completed on January 11, 2016.