MONEY DOWN KENSINGTON DRAIN

It is interesting to read all the enthusiasm in the Barbados for the rebuilding of Kensington Oval in order to host World Cup Cricket matches in 2007. It should be clear by now that we are spending well over the $70M BDS we were led to believe it would all cost. Recently, the Government of Trinidad & Tobago refused to go along with the wild spending to upgrade Queens Park for the simple reason that there are too many more important pressing issues facing Third World economies in the Caribbean. Apparently, the "powers that be" in Barbados think that prestige on the world stage is more important than fixing pot-hole ridden highways, supplying working buses and ambulances - not to mention - attending to the deplorable conditions at the QEH or providing a reliable water supply throughout the island. Derek Walcott used to say Trinidad was all about carnival and sex. Perhaps they exported that mentality to Barbados.

Article in today's Nation:

Bid Look - Sunday 30, May-2004
by PHILIP SPOONER
Barbados was in the spotlight and shone brightly yesterday, as it again signaled its intention to be a major player in the International Cricket Council World Cup 2007 (ICC CWC 2007).

Some stunning details for the redevelopment of Kensington Oval and other magical elements to the island’s bid book were unveiled before the high-powered Venue Assessment Team (VAT) assembled by the game’s world governing body.

The VAT had an inter-active look and feel of the atmosphere at the 20,000-seater that Kensington Oval will become when the grand event comes to Barbados in three years.

Details unveiled included: - more - http://www.nationnews.com/StoryView.cfm?Record=50175&Section=LO&Current=2004%2D05%2D30%2000%3A00%3A00