Above: George Odlum National Stadium

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia’s government has announced an allocation for the upgrade of several playing fields on the island, with a total of just over $925,000.

That represents a 100 percent increase of the amount allocated for that purpose last year.

“As I drive across the country, I see a number of abandoned playing fields in constituencies represented by MPs on both sides of the Parliament,” Sports Minister Shawn Edwards told Parliament. “I want to give this honourable house my most solemn assurance that there will be no discrimination in the allocation of resources for playing field rehabilitation around the country and this will be done through the Parliamentary Representatives.”

Edwards, whose portfolio also includes Youth Development, was speaking during the debate on the 2012/2013 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

Another $555,555 will be spent for remedial works at St Lucia’s George Odlum National Stadium, the Beausejour Cricket Grounds, Mindoo Philip Park, the Phillip Marcellin Grounds and the Vigie Sports Complex.

Several other initiatives will also boost the country’s sporting sector: one will also allocate just over $74,000 for the procurement of sporting equipment, while the government is also targeting $851,851 for lighting equipment for recreational facilities across St Lucia.

Edwards said St Lucia’s government wants to ensure greater prominence for youth and sports development on the island.