In August 2005, Minister of Sports, the Hon Alden McLaughlin, said that plans to build the Cayman Brac Sports Centre on the Bluff had been shelved for another year, but he was hopeful that in the next financial year, they would be in a position to get started.

In accordance with the Minister’s stated goal, MLAs voted $1 million in Finance Committee on Friday, 19 May, to continue this project in the 2006/7 financial year. Mr McLaughlin said that a small committee would be set up shortly to prioritise the areas, and to re-start work from existing plans for the 18-acre project.

Responding to queries raised by Cayman Brac and Little Cayman MLA Julianna O’Connor Connolly, Mr McLaughlin noted that there had been no activity on the site since 2000. Prior to that, the land had been cleared, the rocks on site flattened and bleachers put up.

The current Sports Minister was describing work begun when Ms O’Connor Connolly held that position before the November 2000 elections. Mr McLaughlin said the $1 million in the budget would enable them to look at plans again and start moving forward on parts of Phase One.

He outlined plans for the facility that included a football field, a multipurpose building that would also serve as an administration block, a running track, and a gymnasium.

Once the plans are reviewed by the committee – which is to include Ms O’Connor Connolly – and a project manager is hired, the decision could be taken as to which part of the project should move forward, Mr McLaughlin said.

A proper swimming pool for Cayman Brac could also be accommodated as one of the phases of the project, he added.

Although there has been no structural progress on the site in the last year, $300,000 was allocated to the facility, and with this, artificial turf has been purchased for the Bluff field and is expected to reach Cayman Brac shortly. There was also a significant increase of funding for sport on Cayman Brac in 2005.

The Sports Association of the Sister Islands (SASI), the umbrella organization for sports on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, received a $20,000 grant and $60,000 was allotted through District Administration for SASI to allocate to programmes as needed.

“We achieved a tremendous amount with this funding,” said Brac Sports Instructor Mitchum Sanford. “The Junior Football Programme has had massive success and, more than this, it has brought joy and togetherness to the Sister Islands’ community. The money was well justified.”

He noted that the adult cricket team from the Cayman Brac Cricket Club has also had another very successful year in their second division matches, and the Track and Field Programme is growing in both numbers and achievements.

Stephen Tatum was the second Bracker to qualify for the CARIFTA games, and the first since Mr Sanford took up his position. The track and field team has also successfully competed in numerous meets in Florida this season and are aiming for meets further afield next year.

“We are beginning to identify more elite athletes who have the ability to go on to represent their country and universities in the future,” he said. In addition to the Brac programmes, SASI allotted funds for the Little Cayman Senior Football Team for both equipment and travel, and hope to do even more this year.

“The continuation of the Brac Sports Park was an initiative I promised to address during my campaign, and it has been given the highest priority by me and this Government,” said Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell. 

He said the funding in 2005 and 2006 shows this Government’s commitment to the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman community and especially its young people.

“The sporting facility will provide opportunities for sports tourism and ensure for our young athletes a level playing field, so to speak, in order for them to pursue athletic excellence and then gain the privilege of competing on a national and international level. 

“We see this multi-purpose sports park as a stimulus for interaction between young and old alike, and emphasize our commitment to fund projects that encourage the prevention of anti-social behaviour rather than providing enforcement after the fact,” he said.

“I am so pleased that this Government has supported me to begin this project so quickly after election,” added Mr Kirkconnell.

“The Minister is a man of his word and he has come through on everything he’s said. I have no doubt that this facility will be built to a high standard,” said Mr Sanford.