$4.7 Million Investment in Oistins Bay Garden for Men’s T20 World Cup Announced

Government is spending just under $5 million to transform the Oistins Bay Garden for the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Chairman of the National Organising Committee Ambassador Noel Lynch has revealed.

A commitment has also been made to ensure small business owners benefit from the upcoming global event, he said on Wednesday during a press conference at the iconic food and entertainment hub in Christ Church.

Ambassador Lynch said the $4.7 million being spent to upgrade Oistins is part of an overall programme to ensure many small businesses profited from the event.

According to him, Barbados stands to earn about $110 million from the June 1-29 sporting event. But noting that many Barbadians were not totally satisfied that they got optimum benefit out of the 2007 and 2010 World Cup, either as an immediate benefit or as a legacy benefit, he said “two things must happen in this World Cup that must be sensible”.

“Barbadians from all walks of life must believe that they are integrally involved in the process, particularly when it comes to small business development. We’ve met with the Ministry of Small Business, we’ve met with Fund Access and Trust Loan [Barbados]. What we are trying to do is find as many ways as possible to engage smaller entrepreneurs, smaller developers in the World Cup,” Ambassador Lynch said, adding that the refurbishment was also for locals to enjoy as the World Cup would only be for a specific period.

“Cricket has been good to us both at the social and economic levels . . . . During the 2007 World Cup and afterwards, the best years we’ve ever had economically in Barbados were 2007, 2008 and 2009. You could check the records for yourself . . . . Therefore, whenever there’s a global event and when you shine a light on Barbados for a global event, you get some form of economic uplift.”

Rey Moe, a consultant with the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc., said the refurbishment at Oistins covers the existing kiosks and bathrooms, replacing deteriorated elements, power washing surfaces, painting, improving the stage area, erecting large television screens and constructing a new gazebo and more bathrooms. More than 100 people have gained employment from this project, he added.

Oistins Bay Garden’s president Kemar Harris said the renovations would not significantly disrupt businesses operating there, as he outlined the opening hours until the end of May when the work is expected to be completed.

To facilitate power washing, the Bay Garden was closed at 9:45 on Wednesday night. From Monday to Thursday, all stalls are to be closed by 11 p.m.; the popular Friday night activity will close off at 2 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays, the shut-off time will be midnight.