Retractable bucket seat installation is underway at the recently constructed doubles squash courts at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. said the state-of-the-art facility boasts international-standard courts and will officially open in two weeks.
In 2024, local and regional championships, including the Senior Area Squash Association Championships, were held at the facility, but temporary seating was implemented.
The squash community has noted that the addition of these courts is expected to profoundly impact squash’s future in Guyana and across the region as the world-class facilities will position Guyana as a leader in the sport, attracting top-tier players and tournaments.
Most notably, national player Alex Arjoon has expressed optimism over squash’s advancement after the courts were constructed.
Doubles courts are larger than standard squash courts. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport funded the new facility with approximately G$65 million. Construction commenced in January 2023.
Doubles is now part of both junior and senior Caribbean tournaments. Still, many Caribbean territories lack the specified court and often resort to playing the format on the singles court.
Within the Caribbean Area Squash Association, only the British Virgin Islands and Guyana have international standard doubles courts.
However, Guyana is the only territory where the three singles courts can be converted into two doubles courts.