Resurfaced National Stadium Track Officially Handed Over to Independence Park Limited

The newly resurfaced running track at the National Stadium in Kingston was dedicated and officially handed over to Independence Park Limited (IPL) on Sunday (March 23).

The track, now adorned in Jamaica’s National Colors of Black, Green and Gold, replaces the blue surface that was installed in 2011.

The resurfacing project, carried out at a cost of US$350,000, was undertaken due to deterioration and safety concerns.

This year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, scheduled for March 25 to 29, will be the first event to take place on the newly resurfaced track.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, shared a sense of déjà vu and expressed immense pride in leading the dedication of both the blue track 14 years ago and the newly resurfaced track.

“I was privileged then and I’m privileged today (Sunday) to lead the teams that worked hard in various capacities to improve and provide this important facility for our athletes,” Minister Grange said.

She acknowledged that there was a race against time to complete the track ahead of the Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, beginning Tuesday (March 25), and the Grand Slam Track competition, slated for April 4 to 6, noting that the sole hindrance would have been the weather.

“But we [in] this country, Jamaica, know what it is [like] to run and win. The only challenge we would have had that we had absolutely no control over was the rain… but I believe in prayer,” Ms. Grange said, adding that she gave instructions to keep the stadium lights on so work could be done at nights.

She advised that the process to accredit and certify the new track has begun, with the arrival of an independent inspector from World Athletics expected soon.

“The Black, Green and Gold – a bold step – is a vast improvement on what was there before. The contractors assured me that the issues with the blue track that necessitated this resurfacing have now been corrected,” Ms. Grange indicated.

She pointed out that the new colours represent a statement of national pride and celebration of Jamaica’s outstanding sports tradition.

Olympian and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, who also spoke during the ceremony, echoed Minister Grange’s sentiments, expressing confidence in the project’s timely completion.

“Madam Minister, let me just say that I heard all the doubts out there. But I was confident, because ‘Champs’ is too important for us not to have had this track ready… and so I am very excited,” Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn said.

Other guests attending the ceremony included Olympians, Dr. Una Morris, Wyomia Tyus and Vilma Charlton, and student athletes who will be participating in the upcoming Boys’ and Girls’ Champs, among others.

Noted clergyman, Bishop Herro Blair Jr., offered a prayer of dedication prior to the track’s formal handover to IPL, which manages the National Stadium.