Cordel says why fence before the stadium?
The Marion Jones Sporting Complex has been in a dilapidated state for quite a while and is in desperate need of an overhaul. In recent times, both the Carnival road march and the Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic have had to end elsewhere because of the condition of the Complex. Last August, a groundbreaking ceremony indicated that a multimillion dollar plan was underway and in addition to dressing rooms for athletes; the new facility would also have incorporated a modern a cycling track, and a synthetic running track. But seven months later the work appears to be lagging. Lake Independence rep, Cordel Hyde, a former Minister of Sports, lashed out during last week Thursday’s debate at the construction of a fence worth one million dollars before the sporting facility was built.
CORDEL HYDE
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Leader, PUP
”Last year they budget four and a half million in cap three on the Marion Jones Sports Center. They spent nothing, not even a dollar. But what they spent? Weh deh spend da Marion Jones stadium is a million of cap three is on a fence. They spend one million forty-five thousand on a fence. I have never…I have never in all my years on this earth, seen anybody build a fence before they build a house bredda. Build a fence before they build the stadium. Not a fence in Belize bigger than the one at Marion Jones stadium.”
Cordel you right but its difficult to talk now after having had sports under your leadership for so long with nothing to show for it… and I mean nothing. No institutionalization of sport development programs, not reigning in the runaway football leadership, no development of sports as a viable avenue for young people. I guess the current administration feel that there are lots of fence sitters in Belize so decided to build the fence – just a reflection of lack of vision and leadership in the country on both sides of the table. When those who speak now are or were in a position to do better – nada! Over $1 billion (spelt with a B) and nothing to show for it in the way of improved infrastructure – whether for transport, sports, education or other. Nada, nada, nada. Now is not the time to speak …
I have been wondering about that fence myself, that fence is a waste of tax payer money.
I have been wondering what was the deal with the renovations and funding, seems like someone is letting time pass by and cost are inflated to personal gains, I think a third party consultant should be involved to manage the project and report to the trust of work budget all being transparent, who is monitoring all this seems the Minister want only people of his “Circle of Trust”…….
By the way has anyone seen the renderings to what is being planned, has a consultant be retained to review best use and funding for this seems we are commuted to millions but who is looking…..
You guys were in power also what was done to the staduim?
Man, thats such a dead point. Come on Cordel you usually bring up such good points. If they’re going to pour money into the building of the stadium, they will have very expensive equipment and raw materials laying around. So, you build the fence to protect the valuables. Thats the bottom line and as far a I know standard practice.
Mr Hyde, change in priorities?
one point concerns me is the minister of sports, penner, thisguy has no sport background and in fact i say his home community don’t play any sport that doing willies on thier bikes and ramping which is no use to us all sport fans. no wonder he stayed mouth shut when this issue came out. he doesn’t no games. this people dislike football and i can prove it since i deal with them in business daily. change him as from now his not worth paying him with our tax money. never heard he do something for sports except sign for it.
You must no been round di world cause dey build di fence to keep out vandelism during construction. See it in the us all di time for all construction. Di fence come first.
Keep burning fire on these lame Ministers Belizean Pride.
This behavior by the people in politics just shows the world how behind our country really is in comparison to the rest of our world and more over, a wonderful example is when you leave Belize and mention to people from other places your from Belize, the impression lacks luster! I will not separate myself and say that is what they think about Belizeans! but it’sthe first impression thats out there about us the Belizeans, and each and everyone of us is to blame for this! The facts are that there is an abundance of ignorance out there about management and education of our citizens,with a lack of patriotism, competiveness, lack of motivation, we are in bad shape my fellow citizens and it makes us very vulnerable in this world that moving forward Belize.
as a one time resident of Belize i find it amazing that politicians are the same,no matter what country they are in.Mr Hyde is just playing politics with this one and unfortunately he got it wrong,you always put up a protective barrierwhen you are going to build something of this magnitude to keep thieves out also to protect the workers.
Belizean Pride, you shouldn’t speak of what you do not know. I am in NO WAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT A UDP but I give credit where it is due and when people chat nonsense I am constrained to point it out. Elvin Penner was an avid sportsman, he played voleyball for his highschool at Belmopan Comprehensive where they were always competitors for the national title. Additionally, Minister Penner has been instrumental in the sport of canoe racing. He was a key sponsor and supporter of the Ruta Maya River Challenge. Incidentally, this is the only sport I have EVER heard that we have participated in internationally and won FIRST place. The recent victory in Panama is proof of it. Just because the man nuh play football and basketball nuh mean he doesnt have a sport background. So Belizean Pride, the moral of the story is: Nuh chat bout what yu nuh know!
Cordel is right! u build temporary storage rooms; locked and secure. placing two security guys to keep an eye on it would be helpful. THE FENCE IS NOT NEEDED!!!!BELIZEANS WAKE UP!THERE IS MONEY BEING SPENT INAPPROPRIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!