Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

The Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium in Greenfiled was the host of the opening ceremony of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

FALMOUTH, Trelawny

The Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium passed the acid test of staging a grass-roots entertainment event with flying colours. This is the sentiment being expressed by many who attended the Curefest Stage Show.

With an estimated over 20,000 patrons converging on the stadium to attend this show on Sunday into Heroes Day, it was relatively smooth sailing for the event.

People started arriving at the venue from early evening and even during peak time, between 10 and 11 o'clock despite patrons being searched, the process of entering was hitch free.

One of the major problems with hosting crowds of this magnitude at any venue across the nation is the restroom facilities, as while the men improvise, (with some ladies doing likewise), there is usually a problem with the ladies facilities caused by overcrowding and uncleanliness.

Staffed to maintain cleanliness

The entrance of theTrelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium. - File

This, however, was more or less, alleviated as the facility was built for large crowds and was staffed to maintain cleanliness.

Traffic management was said to be satisfactory as three lanes were allotted for the flow of traffic and they flowed smoothly towards the venue and the same happened at the end of the show.

An incomplete parking area coupled with improper parking causing some of the vehicles to be parked on the road, prevented the stadium from getting a distinction in this area. This, many feel can be corrected easily by temporality levelling additional areas.

The lack of use of the stadium and the subsequent $4 million monthly maintenance cost is of concern to government which is putting in place a management team to run it.