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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Mr. Jeffrey Beckles, General Manager of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and Senior Director of venue for the IAAF Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
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Nassau, Bahamas – Upgrades to the National Thomas A. Robinson Stadium (TARS) will be completed by the end of April just in time for the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) test event scheduled for May 9th & 10th, 2014.
On Wednesday March 12th, 2014 the local media participated in a walkabout of TARS , the venue for the upcoming IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 happening May 24- 25.
The walkabout allowed media to see first-hand the amount of work carried out on the track and the actual facility thus far.
“The track is progressing quiete well and we are very excited that we’re making progress,” said Mr. Jeffrey Beckles, General Manager of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and Senior Director of venue for the IAAF Local Organizing Committee (LOC).“
The asphalt being put down for the track itself takes 30 days to cure. It will be put through vigorous tests to ensure that it is ready and then the land markers will add the final touches to the track,” he said. “We will be ready for the test event, which is the one lane-one island concept that will be introduced, along with the trials for the Bahamas team before the big event.”
Along with the track preparation, Beckles said workers are also ensuring that all of the other amenities being refurbished on is on schedule to be ready as well.
“We have had to replace and repair the jump strip,” he said. “Long jump pits are almost in place and the rest of the field is being set up. Another component is construction of a tribunal for the media as we prepare for more than 100 local and international journalists who will be covering the World Relays.”
In addition to these works, Mr. Beckles said, “painting will begin late March early April. The Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium and the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex, which will be used for employee check-in during the world relay will be painted as well.”
Adding that the oval shape of the track makes things a bit more challenging, Mr. Beckles said that The Bahamas will be well represented by not only its athletes but its facilities as well.
“We are committed to making sure the Bahamian people are satisfied with our efforts. We can say the Bahamian people will be proud, and The Bahamas will have great representation, a great message and a great brand so the rest of the world can see what we are about.”
Work on the track began in late December last year, when the (NSA) engaged the services of Mondo out of Italy to reconstruct the track.
The original track was the level of class two, and to host the World Relays the track had to meet a class one level.
The world's top athletes are expected to be in action in front of an estimated 30,000 spectators.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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