The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) continued discharging its mandate of rehabilitating and developing grounds across the country by adding the Parika/Salem Community Ground to its list of beneficiaries.
GBC Secretary Anand Sanasie turning the sod in the presence of Alvin Johnson, ECB Executive Member; Raywattie Autar, Vice Chairperson of the NDC; and GCB TDO Colin Stuart
The GCB executives visited the ground on Thursday, as they partook in a sod-turning activity to signify the commencement of the development of the practice facility. Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, accompanied by Territorial Developmental Officer (TDO) Colin Stuart, commended the groundsmen as well as the members of the Parika NDC on the ongoing development at the ground.
The facility, when fully completed, will be used by cricketers for practice as well as by the various clubs in the area. The Salem ground is also set to be the new home of the Essequibo Franchise team, with the entire programme being supervised by TDO Stuart.
Sanasie further pointed out that the move to develop the ground is a necessary step towards enhancing the production, preparation and practice of talent emerging out of the Essequibo County. Essequibo veteran coach and manager Alvin Johnson extended gratitude to the GCB, on behalf of the Essequibo community, for the gesture, and hinted that within the next two months the facility will be up to standard.
GCB executives and members of the ECB during the pitch assessment at the Salem ground
Among other ideas for the venue are plans to advertise on the concrete fence at a cost, which would bring in revenue to maintain the facility. Johnson further added that with the commitment of GCB, the facility will be equipped in a timely manner, and in return, the long-term commitment would be to ensure that the facility produces top class cricketers.
The facility, when fully completed, will feature 2 all-weather practice pitches, which will be upgraded by the end of December 2018. The ground will also be enclosed with two practice net cages which will suffice for outdoor sessions.
Meanwhile, the Salem ground is the second facility of its nature to be built in Essequibo, as the Anna Regina Hostel also has two turfs and two concrete practice net facilities.
