Anguilla has broken ground for the construction of a Football Training Centre and Stadium at a cost of between 1.2 and 1.5 million US dollars. The ceremony was held at the Webster Park Annex

L-R: Mr. Harold Taylor, Mr. Raymond Guishard and Hon. Evans Rogers

A substantial portion of the funding has been obtained from a grant from the Federation of the International Football Association (FIFA).

“It is an exciting project that will involve initially the construction of a stadium with a seating capacity of over 1100 spectators and changing rooms, shower/bath facilities and gym,” Governor Alan Huckle said in his remarks on Monday, October 31. “It will be followed by the construction of an administrative and technical centre with conference facilities and accommodation for visiting teams.”

The project is to be constructed on 6.25 acres of Government land leased to the Anguilla Football Association for 99 years at a low rent during the development.

Governor Huckle paid tribute to the support and encouragement given to the project by the Anguilla Government. He added that it was in line with the commitment in the Government’s manifesto to place greater emphasis on the island’s social development.

Responding, Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, said the Tennis Academy being constructed at Blowing Point, and the coming football stadium and complex, signaled a new area in the development of sports in Anguilla and the relationship between the public and private partners for the advancement of the social agenda.

“The Government of Anguilla will do everything possible to make sure that our social services and, in particular, sports keep pace with the economic development that is taking place in the country at this moment,” the Minister stated. “It was therefore very easy for the Government to respond positively to the request of the Anguilla Football Association for the lease of the Crown land.”

The Anguilla Football Association, under the presidency of Raymond Guishard, has come in for much praise for the project.

Among the other speakers were Mr. Guishard, Damien Hughes, (the Association’s General Secretary) and Harold Taylor, FIFA Development Officer.

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