AS Jamaica braces for Hurricane Beryl the operators of some of the country’s major sporting venues say they have implemented measures to prevent significant damage to the facilities.

The island is expected to begin feeling the impact of the Category 5 hurricane on Wednesday. Beryl has already caused major damage to other Caribbean countries, including Grenada. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica says that heavy rain and major flooding is likely to occur over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Independence Park Limited (IPL) is responsible for the National Stadium, and General Manager Desmon Brown says the staff completed preparation for the hurricane early on Tuesday.

“We’re doing the usual, removing all objects that can cause damage,” he told the
Jamaica Observer. “We’ve taped up our windows, covered our equipment — including computers, printers and that sort of thing. Apart from that, it’s mainly concrete so there’s not much we can do. We’re just making sure all our drains are clear.”

A previous concern which has been highlighted is the damaged pipes and leaking at various sections. However, with major rainfall anticipated Brown does not expect that to be an issue.

“It’s only when we’re using the [water] system and there’s a lot of spectators there [that the problems occur] so I don’t see it as a concern,” he said. “It may happen but it isn’t a major concern. Our major concern is making sure there’s no flying objects and making sure our drains are clear, so that’s the main two things we look at.”

National Aquatics Centre Facilities Manager Raymond Hall says possible flooding could pose an issue for the stadium pool.

“One of the major areas that we normally try to safeguard ourselves against is the water going into the pool from the roadway,” Hall told the Observer.

“We’re going to try and get some sandbags to put there, and dig some trenches to kind of divert most of the water coming in the direction of the pool.

“Usually that is where we always have an issue — the water from the roadway, the arena, all that water coming down finding its way through the lobby area then ending up in the pool. Outside of that, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we suffer minor damage, if any.”

The Observer did not get a response from Jamaica Cricket Association regarding Sabina Park but President Donovan Bennett, who returned from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados on Monday, says there was staff in place to ensure work was being carried out.

Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, St James, is also one of the nation’s often-utilised venues. The Observer did not get a response from Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon but it’s understood that discussions involving St James Municipal Corporation took place up until Tuesday afternoon.