If the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC) has its way, at some time in the future, the construction of a synthetic track and subsequently, a sports complex in Dominica, could become a reality.
The DOC is hoping that government will soon approve their proposal to lease land at Warner for that purpose.
DOC president, Felix Wilson, said the land which has been identified for the location of the facilities, is owned in part, by the Dominica Social Security (DSS) and they are expecting to convert it into a synthetic track and in the future, a sports complex.
He said the DOC has held talks with the ministries of sports and health and recently wrote to those ministries and copied the letters to the prime minister.
“We are trying to secure land on a lease basis or if it’s donated to the DOC,” Wilson said. “We have sponsors who are ready to help in laying down a synthetic track which is very much needed.”
He lamented that Dominica is one of the few, if not the only country in the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean Sates (OECS), without such a track.
“A track is the way to go to develop all athletes in Dominica,” The DOC president asserted pointing that children from primary school level and up could benefit and that the facility could generate revenue by charging a fee for utilizing the facility.
“I think in 2015, if we cannot lay down a synthetic track, then we are just going backwards, and we are waiting on the government of the commonwealth of Dominica to work in partnership with the DOC to fulfill that dream, which is not for the DOC, but for Dominica and Dominicans,” he said.
Wilson is also optimistic that he will receive a response soon, as the timing of the correspondence coincided with the general election and the Christmas holidays.
“In projects you have to give time to the stakeholders,” he noted.
The DOC also intends to cover the Dominica Grammar School grounds with synthetic covering that is not as hard as the existing tarmac and according to Wilson, the Committee is looking forward this year, to begin its long term athlete development program. He said this initiative, which is designed to get young children from small to become engaged in doing what was done in the past, has its genesis at a seminar held in Miami recently which was organized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO).
“For example seldom do you see young people play hide and seek, cricket being played on the streets, the kinds of things that we did in an unplanned way in the past which lead to our sporting excellence, is not being done as it used to,” he said.
what happened to the money recvd. from the winter olympics?does the pm condone this?bishops and pastors why dont u all say something?is it because some of you getting red clinic money on wednesdays?
rupert ,why dont you expose this man? you on their side too? say something and come out of the closet
if you want to get ahead in da, you must be a crook or a robber. theives are running dominica. wilson?get rid of him. these are the people the labor party adores
….about time..but the track must be in a place which will encourage its long term use and maintenance…the location should be closer to the airport and in a place protected from winds…i.e. the Northeast..with access to local schools…make the location of the track athlete centric please..local, regional and international.athletes need to compete at a track which is accessible and where the performances will be wind legal…
Dorsi, why do you think the east coast is also known as “au vent”. Exactly my friend, because it is windy! Secondly, bring that facility to where most people have easy access to it and like it or not that is the capital.
PS, wheel and come again…my post said North East…Why you talking about East coast. The capital already has a stadium..share the wealth around is not only one place that must get everything,
I really hope that this year is the time for action and not another wild promise as is always done. It is over time that we have proper facility for our athletes. I heard the Prime minister fanning his election promises before the General Election now is time to put the money where the mouth is and get the facility going, we have been calling for this a long time now. Mr Wilson the Kalinago Eagles and the Kalinago Sports committee welcome the Idea.
this will be very good for Dominica this should have been done already hope to see this come thru this year
Where is the proposed location?
Admin: Warner
I am with you Mr. Wilson. It is time Dominica gets a synthetic track.
Its a good initiative and would be well need development for sports in Dominica. But why
Warner? Why cant it be done in Portsmouth which is the second town, you have other developments like hotels Guesshouse and other commercial activities happening there that will compliment the complex. If you have to host regional games you would have a place to accommodate the teams and supporters, In addition there are other things in Portsmouth that can entertain you while there. Compare and contrast Portsmouth to Warner and thoughtfully consider everything not just a flat piece of land. If you guys do that then I think you all will consider the alternative for erecting a complex of such magnitude . chiii… guys think!!!!!!!!!! think!!!!!!!!!!
Why does everything have to be built in Portsmouth?
There are many other villages in Dominica, apart from the so-called second town!
Why not Soufriere? Nothing seems to be done for Soufriere.
Finally!!!!! somebody thinking sports , youth and future in Dominica..i don’t know why they just didn’t make wilson sports minister instead of mrs charles who knows nothing about sports and has buried killed sports in dominica under her reign and whoever was b4 her..
Ar first I thought the photo was the completed children hospital that the Sylvestri,Wilson and the Passport dealers built in memory of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
According to Denise The Menace -Mr Wisoooon how is your Tulip
While you at it don’t forget the schools and playing fields around Dominica.
This is a bold attempt by Felix Wilson to divert attention away from the questionable practices of the DOC, which were labelled corrupt by Mickey Joseph in his article on DNO on 9 April of 2014 without challenge.
I would submit that indeed, we do need facilities in Dominica to facilitate our athletes so that we can hold our heads up with true pride when we present real home-grown talent when competing in the international arena, rather than using other countries’ cast-offs with second-hand Dominican citizenship as mercenaries as mr. Wilson is want to do.
However, why should land be granted to Mr. Wilson’s organisation, under his control, by the Govt. when we have our own Min. of sport representing all Dominicans and not only those who toe Mr. Wilson’s line? Build these facilities by all means but let them be owned by the Govt. I’m afraid that Mr. Wilson treats the DOC as his own personal fiefdom and woe those who dare tread on his toes!
We also need public tennis courts around Dominica
First make sure our people can afford to buy the balls, never mind a racket!
“If the DOC has its way…”?
That sounds like me when I dream of winning the lottery. But I quickly get back to reality and focus on the things that are within my scope and then get it done – like saving and investing my money to achieve my long term goals.
It’s been along time coming Tobias!
We played sfootball and cricket at DGS. I ran track Dave did track too. In those days I had the pleasure of running on these surfaces in G/loupe & Martinique that was in the mid -late 70’s.
Boy are we way behind!
Cheers to Tobias I have to say.
Benjamin’s park Portsmouth.
Felix I have an alternative suggestion. Go back to our “Dominican” representatives at the Winter Olympics Gary di Silvestri and wife Angelica Morrone, who lied about their backgrounds and abilities and claimed falsely to have made “humanitarian donations” to the country. Since they supposedly have so much money and humanitarian claims, why don’t they donate to purchase the land or fund entire facility instead. If they do that then their scandalous representation of Dominica will be redeemed, and we may completely forget the incident..
Meanwhile, lest we forget:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567921/The-totally-fraudulent-lives-Montana-couple-created-Dominicas-Winter-Olympic-team-consists-them.html
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/22/di-silvestris-sochi-winter-olympics/2/?#article-copy
You and still find young men playing cricket on the street in Grand Bay. At least all is not lost.