Western Sport: Fix our 'home' - Hanover champions urge Watson Taylor Park development

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

After securing their spot in next season's Captain's Bakery & Grill Western Confederation Super League, Lucea FC will no doubt want to maximise home advantage.

However, the worrying question of where they will play their home matches are yet to be resolved.

Watson Taylor Park, the premier sporting ground in Hanover - which is ideally located in the parish capital - is the unofficial home for the newly crowned Major League champions. But it is in need of much work. The natural alternative, Rusea's High School's grounds, is being resurfaced for the upcoming daCosta Cup schoolboy football season.

"It is really a serious matter now that Lucea are in the Super League. This must be their home ground," said Lorraine Scringer, Hanover FA boss. "But as you see, it needs to be resurfaced and a perimeter fence erected to keep fans off the playing surface.

"We have forked out well over $20,000 for security alone for the final and this would not have been the case if we had fencing and seating for the spectators," she pointed out.

There were plans to have all the major sporting parks across Hanover upgraded, and calls have been made from as far back as 2006 when former senior men's team national head coach and technical director, Wendell Downswell, urged the Government and other stakeholders to fund the redevelopment of football fields across the parish. However, nothing has come of his pleas.

Lamenting

Now, Lucea head coach, Christopher Dias, is also lamenting the state of the facility and has added his voice to the growing list of concerned persons.

"The Super League is a big step for us and we want to make sure we have the right team and the best field to play on. Watson Taylor Park is our home ground and the number one field in the parish, I think they should fix it," he told The Gleaner, after his side thrashed Montpelier FC 8-3 on aggregate to win the Major League title on Sunday.

The park has been used before as home to Hanover's teams in the Super League, inclusive of Logwood United's run in the just-concluded season, but even then concerns have been raised about the state of affairs there.

"Logwood used it in the last Super League season, but it still does not allow for good and attractive football and I personally am concerned because as the FA president I am all about good, organised football in this parish," said Scringer.

"I have been invited to hold discussions with the chairman of the Hanover Parish Council and Lucea Mayor, Shernet Haughton. I am aware that she has plans to develop the Watson Taylor Park," Scringer added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Haughton told The Gleaner that it will cost approximately $12 million for initial work at the park, which will include resurfacing, fencing and seating.

She underscored her intent to commence work as soon as funding is identified.