KINGSTON, Jamaica —Inspectors from the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday gave Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) 30 days to correct drainage issues at Caymanas Park and clear verges of discarded beverage bottles as well as to facilitate a follow-up educational meeting with grooms and their trainers regarding maintenance of sanitary conveniences.

Carlton Bernard, facilities manager, Caymanas Park, who accompanied the MOH team on a tour that started in the patrons’ stands, said the jockeys’ room was also inspected, and clogging of a drain, caused by sand being washed from gear after the riders returned from the racetrack, was a concern.

“They afterwards asked to see bathrooms at stables, the first of which the trainer’s rest room was in good condition, but the grooms’ was not,” Bernard pointed out.

“I was shown a video and asked to take them to the stable where toilets were recently handed out. When we got there, the trainers’ bathroom was locked. It was observed that the grooms’ bathroom had one of the new toilets installed, but the area was not being kept in proper condition.

“They afterwards went next door where the trainer’s bathroom was in excellent condition, but, similarly, the grooms’ needed to be cleaned,” Bernard added.

“As a result of their observation of the sanitary conveniences and being told that the verges were cleared of beverage bottles before and after Hurricane Melissa, the inspectors felt it necessary to have an educational meeting with the grooms and their trainers, which I have been asked to organise,” he stated.

Bernard said the MOH visiting Caymanas Park was welcome, especially its offer to assist with sanitary education and care of facilities at the 196-acre property which houses approximately 80 stable yards, some shared, amounting to 120 assigned barns.