Aquatic Centre Construction Begins as La Sagesse Project Remains in Planning Phase

Government outlines progress and challenges for two key sporting facilities

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 1, 2026 – The Government of Grenada has provided an update on two major sporting infrastructure projects, confirming that construction has commenced on the National Aquatic Centre at Queen’s Park, while the proposed renovation of the La Sagesse Playing Field in St David remains in its early planning stages.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell disclosed that the La Sagesse project is currently in the pre-feasibility phase, noting that it is too early to establish a timeline for construction.

“Until the technical assessments are completed, it would be premature to provide any definitive timeframe,” the Prime Minister indicated, emphasising the importance of ensuring that all planning and evaluation processes are properly undertaken before advancing the project.

Meanwhile, more tangible progress is being made on the National Aquatic Centre at Queen’s Park. Chief Technical Officer Kimon Andrews confirmed that construction is already underway, with a local contractor leading the initial phase of works.

Andrews explained that the current scope of the project includes foundational work, specifically the base slab for the swimming pool, along with the development of ancillary buildings and bleachers to support the facility.

“The initial phase focuses on establishing the core infrastructure necessary for the Aquatic Centre,” Andrews noted, adding that the project is expected to evolve in phases as development progresses.

Jamaica’s Smartest Business Investment up to 2030 is in Sport

by Carole Beckford 

KINGSTON - In Jamaica, if your brand isn't in sport, it's missing the most powerful conversation in the country.

Sport is not just entertainment; it is economics, identity, and influence. 

Sport sponsorship in Jamaica offers the best return on investment, because it uniquely combines:

• Undervalued assets
• Mass reach
• Emotional connection
• Cultural relevance
• Direct earnings 

By 2030, sport will continue to make the shift from “good marketing” to “strategic necessity”, especially for brands in telecom, banking, tourism, and consumer goods.

From the excitement of our young men and women on the track to the global legacy of the Reggae Girlz, Reggae Boyz, Sunshine Girls, mixed with electrifying performances of the elite track and field athletes, sport commands attention in ways no traditional advertising channel can match. 

For businesses looking toward 2030, sport sponsorship is not a discretionary spend; it is the smartest investment for measurable return.

Unlike ads of any kind, sport delivers raw emotion. Fans assertively consume; they engage, celebrate, and identify. 

When brands align with teams, athletes, and events, they inherit that emotional equity. This translates directly into higher brand recall, stronger loyalty, and ultimately, increased sales. In a market like Jamaica, where community and culture drive consumer behaviour, that connection is invaluable.

The commercial case is equally compelling. Regional properties such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) demonstrate how sport fuels tourism, media rights, and consumer spending. Hotels fill up, restaurants thrive, and digital audiences expand globally, especially across the diaspora. Sponsorship, therefore, becomes more than marketing; it is demand generation.

Crucially, Jamaica remains in a sponsorship market that could be better leveraged. Compared to mature economies, fewer brands compete for high-visibility assets, meaning early investors secure a disproportionate share of voice at relatively low cost. 

As digital platforms and data analytics improve, businesses will also be able to track sponsorship performance with increasing precision, strengthening ROI accountability.

By 2030, the convergence of sport tourism, digital media, and youth development pipelines will only deepen sport’s economic impact. Companies that invest now will not only capture market share, but they will also shape national narratives.

 

Carole has worked in the business of sport in key areas of sponsorship, marketing, public relations, management, and administration for up to 30 years. 

Broadcast infrastructure must be a priority in Grenada’s sporting facilities

by Michael Bascombe

There is a growing reality in Grenada’s sporting landscape that can no longer be ignored: sport is no longer confined to the spectators inside the venue. It is now a product consumed globally, in real time, through television and digital platforms. Yet, despite this evolution, the design and infrastructure of some of our key sporting facilities have not kept pace.

At both the Kirani James Athletic Stadium and the Grenada National Cricket Stadium, there are no fixed, purpose-built camera positions. This oversight continues to create challenges for broadcasters, who are often forced to improvise, occupying vantage points that were never intended for television production. The result? Obstructed views for patrons, including VIPs, and less-than-optimal broadcast quality for audiences at home.

This is not merely a technical inconvenience; it is a missed opportunity.

Broadcasting is no longer a luxury; it is an important component of modern sport. It enhances visibility,

drives sponsorship and promotes athletes. When camera positions are not strategically integrated into stadium design, the entire product suffers. Angles are compromised, and the viewer experience, arguably the largest audience of all, is diminished.

Equally concerning is the apparent lack of consultation during the planning and construction phases of these facilities. Broadcasters, former athletes, coaches, and sports administrators all bring valuable, practical input. Their lived experiences could inform decisions on sightlines, commentary positions, mixed zones, lighting, and technical infrastructure. Yet too often, these voices are absent from the conversation.

As Grenada looks ahead to future projects such as the proposed National Aquatic Centre and the continued development of the La Sagesse Playing Field in St David, there is an opportunity to correct course. These facilities must be designed with a holistic vision, one that accommodates not only athletes and spectators but also the demands of modern broadcasting.

Simple considerations can make a significant difference, including dedicated camera gantries at strategic angles; elevated, unobstructed platforms for primary broadcast cameras; clearly defined media zones; integrated cabling and power infrastructure; and commentary boxes designed for professional production.

These are not extravagant additions. They are standard requirements in today’s sporting world.

Grenada has made commendable strides in hosting regional and international events, particularly in athletics and cricket. However, if we are serious about positioning ourselves as a premier sporting destination in the Caribbean, then our facilities must reflect global standards.

The conversation must shift from building venues to building complete sporting experiences. The next generation of sporting facilities must be built with that reality firmly in focus.

InterCol at a Crossroads: Fourteen Years Later, the Call for Reform Remains

by Michael Bascombe

Fourteen years ago, I penned a commentary titled “Urgent Overhaul of InterCol Champs Needed.” At the time, it was a call to action, one rooted in the belief that Grenada’s premier secondary schools’ athletics championships had outgrown their structure and required a more strategic approach.

Today, in 2026, that call still echoes.

To be fair, the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships, known as InterCol, has evolved tremendously. What was once a school-based competition has now become a national spectacle, arguably second only to Spicemas in terms of public interest, participation, and cultural significance. The energy at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium each year is evidence of its power, packed stands, school colours, and a level of competition that continues to inspire.

The reality is that InterCol has outgrown its traditional framework. While the Grenada Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (GAPSS) has done commendable work in organising the championships over the years, the scale and impact of the event now demand a more permanent and professionalised management structure.

This is not about removing GAPSS from the process, far from it. Instead, it is about strengthening the foundation through a dedicated body or secretariat that works year-round, ensuring continuity, planning, and execution at the highest level. If we can establish and maintain a structured entity to manage Spicemas, then we can do the same for one of the nation’s most important sporting events.

Such a structure should involve key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education and Sports, working collaboratively with GAPSS. This would allow for a more coordinated approach, not just to InterCol, but to the broader development of secondary school sports across Grenada.

Because InterCol is no longer just an event. It is a product. And like any product, it requires strategic planning, branding, marketing, and investment.

Several areas require urgent attention, including Marketing and Promotion; Sponsorship and Commercialisation; Broadcast and Production; Athlete Development; Event Management and Logistics; and the Expansion of School Sports.

InterCol deserves a year-round promotional strategy. The stories of the athletes, the rivalries between schools, and the journey to the championships should be told consistently across traditional and digital media. This is how you build anticipation and deepen national engagement.

Corporate Grenada must be given a clearer, more structured opportunity to invest. With proper packaging, InterCol can attract significant sponsorship, easing the financial burden on schools and organisers while enhancing the overall quality of the event.

The championships have already shown their potential as a broadcast product. However, there is a need for standardised, high-quality production, complete with graphics, athlete profiles, real-time results, and expert commentary to match regional and international standards. This is important, especially with Grenada positioning itself as a host of major events such as the CARIFTA Games.

InterCol should be integrated into a clear national development pathway. It must not be viewed as the final destination, but rather as a stepping stone to higher levels, CARIFTA Games, collegiate athletics, and beyond.

From scheduling to athlete management, medical services to crowd control, there must be a professionalised approach that reduces inefficiencies and enhances the experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Perhaps most importantly, this proposed structure could oversee not only athletics but a wider programme of secondary school sports. Basketball, football, cricket, swimming and volleyball could all benefit from the same level of organisation and visibility, creating a true culture of school-based sport development.

InterCol has reached a point where passion alone is no longer enough. It now requires policy, planning, and professionalism.

Fourteen years later, the conversation must move from suggestion to implementation.

Grenada has the talent and enthusiasm. What is needed now is the structure to match.

Previous commentary: https://mikebas.blogspot.com/2012/03/urgent-overhaul-of-intercol-champs.html  

Clement Defends Decathlon Title at Champs

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica – March 27, 2026 - Grenadian standout Jurel Clement successfully defended his decathlon title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships in Kingston, producing a dominant two-day performance.

Representing Kingston College, Clement finished with 6,837 points, comfortably ahead of Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High School (6,696), with Deandre Isidore of Jamaica College third on 5,520.

On the final day, Clement stamped his authority on the field, winning the pole vault and javelin, while placing second in the 110m hurdles and discus, and third in the 1500m.

Clement now shifts focus to the upcoming CARIFTA Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium next weekend.