New Amsterdam synthetic track 85% complete, says Sport Minister

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr., announced that the New Amsterdam Synthetic Track is currently 85% complete.

He made this statement after inspecting the ongoing construction alongside Minister within the ministry Steven Jacobs and other officials on Sunday (October 12).

During the inspection, Minister Ramson spoke with reporters and explained that when he took office, there was no existing project to procure synthetic material for the track.

He said the People’s Progressive Party government purchased this material in 2021, receiving it in early 2022 at a cost of one million euros for both the New Amsterdam and Linden synthetic tracks.

“We were expecting to have the synthetic material laid in the first quarter of this year, but we had four months of rain starting in April, and you can’t lay the synthetic material in rainy conditions. Luckily, the weather has turned, but all of the ancillary projects we have either completed or are about to complete,” Minister Ramson noted.

A representative from the BSW company in Germany is currently in the country to assess the completed works.

He emphasised that this facility will be classified as a top-tier track and field facility, meeting international standards.

“This will be the highest class of category that any track and field is anywhere in the world, that’s why it’s so technical,” he highlighted.

“So we didn’t just lay synthetic material here; this is a finish that will allow us to meet the international standard at the highest level. We will be in a position to host any kind of international track and field event here.

“Similarly, for the football field, the project is completed with the exception of the grassing. I want that to be done last so that you will have the ability to host Concacaf matches here. So, we already have Concacaf matches at Leonora, and now they will get the opportunity to do that right here in New Amsterdam,” he revealed.

Minister Ramson further explained that the laying of the synthetic material on the surface will take about five weeks, starting October 20.

“So you will see over that period of time, it will be an aggressive move to complete the laying of the synthetic material. Once we have good weather, we should expect to see this completed by the end of November. As far as the grass is concerned, we are going to move to planting the grass. Internally, all the work will be completed.”

Minister Ramson also mentioned that work continues on the parking lot, driveway and fencing, while the purchase of stands is still pending.