Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
WRAY AND Nephew National Premier League club Village United FC received a setback recently when their plans to modernise their operations and create a more professional set-up were halted by the decision of the Trelawny Parish Council not lease them the Elliston Wakeland Centre.
The Falmouth-based club had submitted a proposal in December for a 25-year lease of the Elliston Wakeland Centre which they argued could in a few years put them on level footing with some of the more structured clubs in the NPL such as Harbour View, Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse.
Detailed in the proposal was their plan to spend $50 million to $60 million over five years to improve the seven-acre facility.
Previously, the complex was run by a committee which has become dormant, leaving it in the hands of the football club.
NOTIFICATION
Recently, the club received notification from the parish council that their application was turned down and according to the man who submitted the proposal which was accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, Steve Bennett, this situation could see a number of directors washing their hands of the club.
"Their (the parish council's) view is that the place was left in trust for the people of Trelawny so they do not know if they can lease it to one entity and they seem pretty firm on that but if we cannot find a suitable option I don't know if we will waste our time," Bennett told The Gleaner on the weekend.
But according to Errol Malcolm, commercial services manager of the Trelawny Parish Council, an opportunity still exists for the facilities to be leased to the club.
"I have discussed the matter with the representatives of the club and the matter may not be closed. They have a recourse in that they could appeal so that is where the situation is at the moment," said Malcolm.
Malcolm also confirmed that the council's initial decision not to lease the facility was based on the fear that some of the people to whom it was bequeathed would be disenfranchised.
"The decision was taken based on the fact that it was given to the community and they did not want to disenfranchise anyone by leasing it," explained Malcolm.
That fear may appear to be without foundation as according to the plan for the redevelopment of Elliston Wakeland Centre, the community's interest would be taken into consideration. In an earlier interview, Glen Lawrence, financial director for the club, said the proposal was not just about Village but about Falmouth and Trelawny on a whole. The interest of the wider community, he added, would be served with the development of two quality football fields one of which would serve for daCosta Cup football and First Division games. Basketball and netball will also be facilitated, he said.
If the appeal fails, the directors who have a meeting in May to decide their course of action will have to explore other options.
"The truth is that we cannot continue the way we are. Financially it is not viable and for the game itself it does not make sense. We will have to seriously look at other options which we are really open-ended about," Bennett added.
