The University of Technology (UTech) picked up several important endorsements last Thursday at a town-hall meeting in Falmouth, Trelawny, as it continues to makes its case to have the Government lease it the US$30-multi-purpose stadium in Trelawny to establish a western campus.

The endorsements came following impressive presentations by UTech's president, Professor Errol Morrison; Associate Professor of Education Financing, Dr Kofi Nkrumah-Young; and Director of Sports, Anthony Davis, outlining the university's vision to use the stadium to create a viable mix of sports and academics.

While several members of the sporting fraternity expressed scepticism, South Trelawny Member of Parliament Marissa Dalrymple-Philibert, Trelawny Chamber of Commerce President, Dennis Seivwright, and land developers and former politicians Desmond Leaky and Keith Russell, all endorsed the plan.

Serving no one

"This expensive stadium has been up there not serving any person and I see this as an opportunity to do something about it," said Seivwright. "In addition, this will be of great benefit to our students seeking tertiary education."

Professor Morrison said UTech was already in the west through its contacts with the Montego Bay community and that leasing the stadium would provide for further expansion, as they seek to establish a full-fledged campus in the west.

"Based on our plans, sports would not suffer but would be greater enhanced by way of better marketing of the facility," said Professor Morrison. "Our vision is to have sports and academics working together in a beneficial way."

Dr Nkrumah-Young said the campus would be meeting an important education need as according to him, 11,475 Jamaicans are applying for UTech programmes and they only have places for 3,246. He said the existing facility would be left intact for sports as based on a six-year development plan that they have, $1.191 billion will be spent to create additional facilities.

UTECH's plans

In terms of improving the stadium's marketability for sport, Dr Nkrumah-Young outlined plans for the installation of floodlights for night activities, construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool, installation of a standard running track, creation of a gymnasium, development of a football field, facilities for lawn tennis, basketball, netball, badminton and hockey.

"In addition to the new sporting facilities, you will see increased employment and increased economic activities," said Dr Nkrumah-Young.

Davis said the institution would also create a balance between sports and academics.

"We will be creating additional opportunities for our sporting stars to stay at home since they would have world-class facilities at their disposal," said Davis. "In addition, it would offer an opportunity for our promising high-school students to get a tertiary education."

While stating that he was very impressed with UTech's proposal, Falmouth's Mayor, Councillor Colin Gager, said he had not yet taken a position on the plans and neither has the Trelawny Parish Council.

"We must first view the merits and demerits and have the matter properly discussed before any decision is taken," said Mayor Gager. "All the stakeholders, including the public, must be allowed to have a say before any decision is made."

North Trelawny MP, Dr Patrick Harris, said: "We welcome you to Trelawny and want you to be here, but we would be happy if you leave the stadium as it is as a sporting facility," said Dr Harris. "We would only be too happy to provide you with lands elsewhere."

- A. F.