THE GARFIELD SOBERS Sports Complex is looking to attract major sports teams and events to the facility.
Minister of Sport Stephen Lashley said the new state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard, which was handed over yesterday, would make the facility more marketable locally and abroad.
Noting that the board was charged with marketing the facility, Lashley said members were very keen on attracting that kind of business.
“With this kind of development, I believe that the board will feel much encouraged and has now a more enhanced product to market to various teams both in Barbados and elsewhere,” Lashley said.
The new scoreboard costs $3.38 million and can show pictures, texts and scores.
It can also show videos, and Lashley said that feature should enhance the cultural presentations and other entertainment shows that serve to earn the bulk of revenue.
“I believe it may reduce the kind of dependence that they have on actually bringing video monitors into the gymnasium. The quality there is very, very sharp and that augurs well in terms of the quality of the productions and so on here at the gymnasium,” he stated.
Lashley asked people to respect the facility and the investment.
“The gift from the People’s Republic of China is not of insignificant worth. I believe that gifts once given should be cherished and the value of this is, of course, of major import to us. I hope the public that uses the facility here at the gymnasium will ensure that it’s protected,” he said.
Chinese ambassador Wei Qiang said the gymnasium was a milestone in the annals of the friendship and cooperation between China and Barbados, dating back to 1994 with the construction of the Wildey facility.
“It has played an outstanding role in favour of a wide range of cultural activities, for the benefit of Barbados’ people, especially the youth, which is a clear sign that our bilateral co-operation is truly beneficial for the people as it should be,” Qiang said.
The ambassador said the upgrade was jointly inspected by engineers from China and Barbados and all requirements and standards were met. (YB)
