Dear Editor,
I am a lover of Cricket and I get excited when cricket is in the air.
I also love Dominica and get excited when the country gets major ‘free’ promotion when international games are hosted on our shores.
However, I was watching a news item of the teams practicing at the Stadium, which I am sure has been seen by millions around the world, and was appalled to see a number of dilapidated structures around the stadium (see photo above).
Is this the type of image we want people around the world to see? Do we always have to fit ourselves into the category of “third world” or “developing countries?”
Now I am not saying these structures have to be demolished. All I am saying is that someone could throw a rough coat of paint on them to at least make them presentable. I am sure they will be seen in the background during live television broadcast of the Test and might be a turn off for some. I was surely turned off when I saw them during the news item.
I am appealing to the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA), or whoever is responsible for hosting such matches, to do something about these structures. It makes no sense boasting of a world-class stadium while at the same time we see such eye sores around it.
Well I don’t live in Dominica at this present moment but have been thinking on investing in this country anyway. Though the comments might be legit, appropriate and depressing I won’t change my mind. Maybe doing this business would help create a few jobs and ultimately create a way to address issues like these eye sores that are prominent all over the country. I’m looking forward to starting this venture some time in October of this year. Just to let you guys know that I’ve done a few thorough studies and investigations on the life styles and attitude of island living and found it favorable
Well I lived there for many years. Every dollar you “invest” in DA disappears. Whether it was the sawmill, the lime brake cleaner operation, the coconut soap thing, even Breezies. All gone.
Man the whole country needs cleaning . have you all driven around Dominica lately to see the amount of garbage along the roads . Dominicans have become a bunch of nasty people . We should not wait for independence time to clean the place.
I want to echo ‘Pokesa’s’ comment. Not at all concerned about the buildings reference.
But we got a ‘free’ stadium and could not, have not, even constructed a proper entrance to the facility.
It is simply low class and mediocrity at its utmost. We must keep in mind that good public standards, set the standards for all of society.
We are of modest means but should not be poor of mind, standards and expectations.
Alas, more examples of just bad governance.
Josephine Gabriel and Co. Ltd could team up with either Heineken or Coca Cola and get some really good advertising by putting a massive advert on the building
The whole of Roseau needs to be cleaned up. What a nasty place. We will not be seeing any improvement now that Labour boys are all out of Roseau. We have to do this ourselves. We can take the visitors to see the ..Dominican State House.
Someone can put a commercial on there and get free advertisement.
Hate to say it, but attention to detail is not a strong attribute we have at this time.
One would think the details associated with this upcoming event would have been addressed months ago. From arrival at the airport, the trip to Roseau and the appearance of the stadium and surrounding areas. Remember, this event will be broadcast around the world…. A great opportunity to sell our product (Dominica).
Anyways, I look forward to enjoying myself at the stadium watching WI vs Australia.
That’s the back of Coca Cola building..nice place to put an advert Jenny.
If you care then Dominica doesn’t care. Just look at the front entrance and ticketing booth – mediocracy at it’s highest level. The thing is so shabbily built on such s nice piece of land that when you look at it and the Staduim what s contrast, in tea of complimenting it.
this letter makes no sense. the cant control what’s outside the stadium
You Dominicans have no standards. They can do something about. Like has been said, a coat of paint or advertisting board mounted to those building would go a long way into improving the look of the neighborhood.
Lets fix actual problems (poverty & lack of foreign investment) rather than focusing on pretty facades!
We need people to have the means to improve their homes and communities…instead we put all funding in the hands of the government and hope they reinvest back into our facilities.
I agree maybe a group of people could come together and do a paint job before the first day. The govt could provide the paint.
Carcon, are you serious? You want us to provide a free paint job for the Coca Cola people that can not even keep, our market supplied with their product all the time, even if we have to pay min $8.40 for a large bottle? We are even importing cans of Coke from outside OECS because of that. Chupes man, these people are simply too tight.
exactly where is that and when was this photo taken?
My boy, Dr. John says that he saw the teams practising at the stadium on t.v and noticed these dilapidated structures, so it must be very recent indeed. Or you going to tell us this is an old image and everything is now first class and pretty? I can tell you that it is still the same and does the image of Dominica, which we proudly call the Nature Isle, no good. I wish I could tell you different because I am ashamed of that tired, run down dirty look of smelling Roseau. Let’s fix that before making challenging questions or having ourselves chauffeured around in foreign parts in Rolls Royces.
I forgot to mention in the letter that the photo was taken on the weekend when the teams were practicing at the stadium.
I like your observations but your solutions are typical of societies trying to hide the real problems. The fact is with all those gifts and monuments from the Chinese empire daily life of Dominica is still a struggle. Painting the buildings next door is just covering the sore and not solving the problem. The dilapidated buildings are probably the true representation of what the country is. You can dress and put lipstick on a pig as much as you want. It will still be a pig.
I surely support you on this. I am a frequent visitor to Dominica and I am afraid to say that while Dominica tries to sell itself as the eco-paradise of the Caribbean, there is nothing done to impress on the minds of people like me who come from foreign lands to visit.
As far as I am concerned, the entire area in the vicinity of the stadium needs to be properly manicured and the OLD buildings that serve as the welcome points to the stadium MUST be demolished immediately. Its a gross shame on the GOD, DCA,DDA and the MOT!!!
always a problem. have a look at grounds arround the world. la la la god.
Most Countries/Islands do a bit of regeneration sprucing up. It does help image wise. A slap of paint works wonders! 100% good suggestion.
Great article my friend but our lovely counrty is being run by a dictator in which if the cricket association members spek out they will be victimized,Dominica is on a path of destruction bt this ruthless labour party.When you speak out you become a victim,for now dont expect much to be done on this eye sore.Also if its not a matter that is putting money in the leader’s pocket ,then thats just how it stays.