A high level team of officials who visited St. Kitts on Tuesday 27th November, on the last leg of an extensive ICC CWC Venue Tour, have left the island singing high praises for the state of readiness of the Warner Park Stadium and the two practice venues at Conaree and Cayon, just outside of the capital Basseterre.
In the words of the Chief Executive and Managing Director of the ICC CWC, Mr. Chris Dehring, the Warner Park Stadium, “Pound for Pound”, must be rated the best he has seen in the Caribbean, during what has been a hectic thirteen day inspection swing throughout the nine host venues.
The ICC CWC Chief Executive made his views known during a Press Briefing, shortly after the team of experts had completed their assessment of all functional areas, including the Pitch & Field, Cricket Operations, Media & Broadcasting, Accreditation, Venue Development, Security, Safety and other critical areas. Mr.Dehring told members of the media that the people of St. Kitts & Nevis have a great stadium and they should be proud of their achievement and their success in putting on an impressive show for the inspectors. He cautioned however, that the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, should not relax their efforts, but instead should make a strong push to follow through on the minor but important areas that demand attention.The ICC CWC inspectors also described the practice facilities as the best they have seen on their tour of all the host venues.
The inspection party said they were blown away by the first class hospitality provided by the St. Kitts & Nevis LOC, especially as it relates to the airport welcome, that saw the officials being transferred directly from the airplane onto a waiting bus on the tarmac. All immigration and customs services were expertly expedited by the LOC’s Protocol and VIP team, providing a seamless operation.
One of the officials said that the World Champions, Australia, and the other teams from South Africa, Scotland and The Netherlands, will be happy that their Group Stage matches are being hosted in St. Kitts.
Also expressing positive and encouraging remarks at the media briefing was Mr. Don Lockerbie, who stated that this was the only stadium in which “hard hats” were not necessary, given that the Warner Park Stadium was the first to be completed since in May 2006, almost one year ahead of the required time. Lockerbie, who is the Chief Operations Officer and Venue Development Director, told the media that the LOC has done a fantastic job and their hospitality was “second to none”.
The LOC was represented at the press conference by its Chairman, Mr. Charles Wilkin QC while Commercial & Communications Manager,Val Henry chaired the proceedings. The event was also honoured by the presence and participation of the Minister of State for Tourism, Sports & Culture, Mr.Richard Skerritt.
Meanwhile, another press conference is slated for Friday 1st December, 2006 at the Four Seasons Resort, in Nevis, where the ICC CWC Board is scheduled to meet for its regular session. At this meeting the board will be updated on the state of readiness, not only of St. Kitts & Nevis, but the entire region.