Big blow

LOCAL?SPORTS?suffered a massive blow yesterday!
The Barbados Turf Club (BTC) and Wanderers Cricket Club, two of the island’s oldest sporting institutions, were among the hardest hit by Tropical Storm Tomas when it swept across Barbados in the early hours.
The BTC, established in 1905, suffered extensive damage to most of its buildings, surroundings and infrastructure with the repair bill expected to surpass $1 million. While none of the horses housed at the Garrison were harmed, it was uncertain whether racing would be held on the next race day, scheduled for November 14.  
Less than a mile away, Wanderers, established in 1877 and the oldest cricket club in Barbados, lost the entire roof of its Denis & Eric Atkinson Pavilion, half of it ending up in Dayrells Road, blocking cars from passing and bringing down power lines.
The club moved to its current location  in 1953, has teams in the Barbados Cricket Association’s Division 1, 2 and Intermediate competitions as well as in the Barbados Hockey Federation’s domestic league while it is the home for the annual International Masters football tournament.
Both clubs are insured. (EZS)