Major upgrades for Sabina Park headline National Labour Day project
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — Sabina Park, the hallowed home of Jamaican cricket, is undergoing a significant facelift as one of two national projects for Labour Day 2026, observed on Monday under the theme ‘One People, One Purpose: In All Things, Jamaica Wins.’
While work crews installed new waste collection facilities, replaced damaged guard rails, repaired rusted grills, and applied fresh paint to sections of the historic venue, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) carried out cleaning and preservation work on the statue of cricket legend George Headley.
Headley, the first black man to captain the West Indies, remains one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever produced.
In 22 Test matches, he scored 2,190 runs at a phenomenal average of 60.83 per innings, including 10 centuries.
His first-class record was even more remarkable, 9,921 runs in 164 innings, with 33 centuries and an unbelievable average of 70.
“Sabina Park is a heritage site, known worldwide as the home of cricket in Jamaica,” said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, speaking with JIS News at the venue. “Labour Day is the perfect time to bring everyone together to repair and improve the facilities.”
The ministry, through the National Labour Day Secretariat, is spearheading the renovations with a focus on restoring sports, early-childhood, and community facilities.
“These improvements will give the facility a beautiful facelift and ensure it is ready for upcoming international matches,” Minister Grange added.
As part of the day’s activities, the JNHT unveiled a new plaque and storyboard at Sabina Park. “The storyboard provides a summary of Sabina Park’s history, and through a QR code, visitors can access the full story,” the minister noted. “This is an ongoing project, and we will continue to update the information as more work is done.”
Minister Grange emphasised that the Government’s investment in Sabina Park forms part of a broader effort to modernise Jamaica’s sporting infrastructure, ensuring that Headley’s legacy, and the pride of Jamaican cricket, continues to inspire generations.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) participates in activities at the National Labour Day project site at Sabina Park in Kingston on Monday, May 25, 2026. He is joined by (from second left), Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding. (Photo: Adrian Walker)
