Gymnasium significantly improved

THE Garfield Sobers Gymnasium has been significantly improved, thanks to the recent refurbishments that were carried out as a result of a grant issued by the People’s Republic of China, to the tune of Bds$19 million.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, placed on record his delight with the “sophisticated restoration and renovation” of the gymnasium, during the recently held Estimates debate.

“The Gymnasium, throughout its life of over 19 to 20 years, has never really had a refurbishment of its facilities and this is really a movement away from what has in the past been done, in relation to government assets,” he noted.

“They’ve really not been a focus on ensuring that government assets can be kept in a state of refurbishment and upgrade, to allow for their maximum use. Of course the gymnasium is a multipurpose facility. It is used by sporting bodies, but it is also used by entertainment promoters and indeed, has the potential of ensuring significant revenue, both locally and certainly foreign exchange,” he added.

“Now going forward, of course the gymnasium, because of the kind of upgrades that occurred through the grant of just about Bds$19 million, compliments of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Gymnasium now has a state-of-the-art international graded floor, which of course allows for our various competing teams, in particular netball and basketball, to be able to practise on a world-class quality floor and of course it makes them more competitive with other teams,” he further commented.

The facility has also been improved significantly via the installation of an air-conditioning system, a better lighting system and a photovoltaic system to reduce reliance on the grid and the overall improvements made, Lashley said, will allow the gym to offer more competitive rates. (RSM)