Eden Park multi-purpose complex in Oracabessa, St Mary, got a $6.6-million facelift recently.

According to Ludlow Watts, The Sport Development Foundation's (SDF) general manager, the project was unique because of the outreach.

Unlike previous occasions, SDF helped with fencing and upgrading the field. Watts said they answered a call from the community after several primary school students had broken their feet playing there over the years.

The project was one of 310 multi-purpose courts and 65 playing fields developed by the SDF since its inception in 1995.

Determined to develop sports

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague, said the Government was determined to develop sports in the constituency.

He said the community was happy for the facility, which would be used for daCosta Cup and St Mary Division One football games, SDC 20/20 matches and track and field meets.

Mayor Richard Creary was excited with the new development.

"I can tell you from a first-hand view how wonderful this field is. We must commend SDF and other community members," he said.

He promised a deep freezer and a second cricket strip for practice.

Derrick Worrell, president of the St Mary Cricket association, said:

"We now have a facility where we can play and enjoy playing in comfort."

He said his association would do whatever it could to help develop and maintain the facility.

Raymond Anderson, president of the St Mary Football Association, also welcomed the upgraded facility.

"I am happier than the cricket community. As you know, football is dying in St Mary, and not because we don't have talent, but because we don't have good facilities," he said.

He, however, appealed to those who use the complex to take very good care of it.