PHILIPSBURG–The Sport Matters Mixer, a charity social event held April 6, has raised pledges of nearly US7,000 to help repair hurricane ravaged sports facilities. “The mixer was a great idea,” said Maikel Cornet, Director of National Sports Institute.
“The timing was just bad. Too many companies are trying to get back on their own feet. They cannot commit to helping. We will try this again later.”
The evening mixer of sport officials and business men and women held at the Government Administration Building was organised by the Ministry of Education Culture Youth & Sport (MECYS) in collaboration with NSI.
The goal was to raise funds to help repair the major sport facilities. An estimated six million dollars is needed to return the fields, stadiums and courts back to normal.
The cleaning and repairing of minor damages was done by NSI with own staff and resources.
NSI manages and maintains the five major sport facilities Raoul Illidge Sport Complex, L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium, the Melford Hazel Sport and Recreation Center, the John Cooper Jose Lake Sr. Ballpark and the Cruyff Court at the Belvedere.
“Raoul Illidge Sport Complex, our flagship facility is in need of great assistance,” said Cornet
The stands need repair, the race track and the stadium lights need to be replaced. The repairs are ongoing. The premises are being cleaned from all bushes and remaining debris. The downed stadium lights will be removed to make room for the new stadium lights. The pool area will be repaired as well as the playground. The lighting for the tennis court and the basketball/netball court will be replaced. “All this is planned for the month of May,” said Cornet.
The John Cooper Jose Lake Ballpark needs new stadium lights, scoreboard, bleachers and fencing.
The Melford Hazel Sport Center is still under repair. Funds have been allocated by the MECYS for the repair of the roof that sustained major damages. The Tennis court and Gazebo are being donated by the Rotary Club, wich is assisting with these repairs.
The satellite basketball courts within the neighbourhoods are now being scheduled for repairs since the funds have also been allocated by MECYS.
“We are still in dire need of assistance to complete the major repairs. It is that MECYS via the Department of Sports in collaboration with the NSI organized a sport mixer to gather the additional funds for the repairs of the facilities. The goal was to have the business community contribute to the cause. Contributions were made by businesses and individuals during this mixer.”
Also, during this mixer, a presentation on the “adopt a facility” programme was presented. “A facility can be adopted by a stakeholder, in return for incentives such as advertising and business opportunities just to mention a few. The funding drive is still ongoing,” said Cornet.
The possibility of making donations to the NSI on an individual basis exists. Visit the NSI website: www.nationalsportsinstitute.sx and go the funding page.
The NSI can be contacted by phone: +1 (721) 542-2039 or email: contact@nationalsportsinstitute.sx.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/76447-mixer-raises-us-7000-millions-still-needed
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