THE shutdown in air traffic in several European hubs precipitated by the harsh north-Atlantic winter and massive snow storms has caused a delay to the delivery of materials for the new all-weather running track at the National Stadium, according to general manager Major Desmon Brown.

Independence Park Limited (IPL) last Thursday got a letter of credit and the go-ahead to order the material and start the rehabilitation work to be done by German Company BSW.

However, Brown told the Observer he had received correspondence earlier this week from the manufacturers of the synthetic surface that the heavy snow which has caused a shutdown of many airports in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States was hampering shipment of the material.

IPL had hoped to get work started on the track as soon as the Christmas holiday was over for the new track at the island’s premier sporting facility to be ready in time for the upcoming track and field season.

There have been concerns that the new track will not be laid in time for several major athletics meetings in 2011, namely the Gibson Relays, ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships, and the Jamaica International Invitational meet to be held at the facility.

Brown had earlier told the Observer that once the shipment was received in time the track would be ready in time for next February’s Gibson Relays.

Yesterday, there was less certainty as Brown said a work plan could not be done until a definite date for arrival of the material was known.

He did however say that the contractors would be working day and night to get it ready. Not withstanding that, quality is still paramount, he said.

In November, the well-worn Mondo all-weather running track, which was laid in 2002 ahead of Jamaica’s hosting of the ninth IAAF World Junior Championships, was dug up and removed after eight years.

The old track had been steadily deteriorating, especially in the area of the 100-metres start, over the past few years, but came under added pressure this year after meets usually held at the Stadium East field were moved to the 25,000-seater complex because the smaller facility was closed for repairs due to similar damage.

German company BSW also laid the blue all-weather running surface at the University of the West Indies (UWI) earlier this year.

— D Bogle