André Lowe, Special Projects Editor - Sports

Delivered under budget and within schedule, the new track at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport is expected to continue the institution's rich heritage of sporting education. But, it was not an easy fix.

One of the region's premier sports education facilities - institution was yesterday presented with a newly constructed $170 million IAAF level 2 certified synthetic running track, two years after it was closed for safety concerns.

And as the who's who of the island's sporting administration turned out at the Angels, St Catherine- based institution to get a close-up view of the eight-lane facility, which was entirely funded by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) and laid by German company BSW Regupol, the German company's point man on the project wore one of the brightest smiles.

Properly maintained

Export director Peter Breuer shared that the project was a rather difficult one, but noted that the new surface can serve the institution for more than 30 years if properly maintained.

"I'm very happy with it, it came out beautifully," he beamed. "We had to overcome a lot of problems with the ground but everything is perfect. We were four weeks ahead of time, within the budget and everybody is happy."

Still, the theme certainly centred around the college's history, its importance to the country's sporting success, and the major role that the new track will play in continuing that heritage.

Minister with responsibility for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, who was speaking on behalf of the absent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who is recovering from laryngitis, drove home this very point.

"This institution has become a national catalyst for great things in sport," said Neita-Headley. "The achievement of this college goes way beyond merely handing out degrees and diplomas in physical education and coaching. It has been the main driving force behind a new culture of sport in Jamaica."