New track to be installed at stadium
The project has been talked about for years, but it has taken a five medal Olympic performance by a daughter of the soil to send it toward the finish line. That project is the installation of a world class synthetic track at the newly named Marion Jones Sporting Complex and the vehicle by which the superstar will support the effort is the Marion Jones Belize Foundation. Today that entity was formally launched at a press conference in which the Prime Minister and world’s fastest woman combined to outline a plan for the rapid development of Belizean athletics.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“It will include an eight lane standard four hundred metre synthetic track to international standards on the existing concrete base. Both foreign and Belizean contractors and engineers will be used on this job. The initial artworks and so on will be done by Belizean contractors, but we will be working with a firm, more than likely a firm from the United States of America, who are experienced in the building of world synthetic tracks. The features of the track include two long jump pits, two triple jump pits, two high jump areas, two javelin runways, two shot-put areas, two discus hammock throwing areas, two pole vault areas, one water jump for steeple chase and an automatic timing system.”
Marion Jones, Belize’s Sports Ambassador
“The track will be used for track and field events. This is a world class facility we are building and putting together and therefore will do our best to run it and manage it along those lines. Having said that, the focus will be on track and field athletes. I’m perhaps the expert on running on the track, but in terms of managing it, I’m not all that familiar with, but we will have all the necessary experts to ensure that its upkeep is well underhand. I think it’s a catalyst for the development of our young athletes in terms of proper training, in terms of putting them on equal ground with the rest of the world in terms of training, so it’s so much more than just a track. I told the Prime Minister a bit earlier that I don’t take my appointment as Ambassador of Sports lightly. I take it very seriously and have over the past however many months it’s been, been getting the word out that I’m setting up this foundation and that we’re trying to build a facility here in Belize. Already I’ve had much success in terms of securing necessary funds.”
Q: The Marion Jones Belize Foundation, how exactly is it going to work apart from this first venture, which should be an enormous one in which to start with, what exactly is it going to be doing from raising funds?”
Marion Jones
“A number of things. The foundation itself will help funding for the athletes needs, whether it is travel or equipment. Whatever they need, the foundation will do its best to see that it’s met. Things that are needed, perhaps the necessary tools for certifying coaches if there is funding necessary.”
The synthetic track and related improvements will cost an estimated three million dollars, one point five of which will come from the government and people of Belize and the rest raised by Marion from sources abroad. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and will continue for six months.
