New $12M Trini Posse Stand, scoreboard for Oval

THE popular Trini Posse Stand at the Queen’s Park Oval will be ripped down soon to be replaced by a  new $7-$12 million structure.

This was revealed yesterday by chief Trini Posse activist Dr Nigel Camacho. And Dr Camacho said they will  also be having the current Benson and Hedges scoreboard dismantled and a new $2 million board to replace it. The Trini Posse Stand situated between the scoreboard and the CL Duprey Stand, affords members the luxury of a swimming pool, and is one of the most lively areas at Test and one-day cricket matches. Dr Camacho said the new scoreboard will be more compact and fully digital  and will come from an Australian firm based in Brisbane with links in Montreal, Canada and France. He said discussions are currently underway with four prospective territories  for the “old” scoreboard.

The “old” scoreboard was installed at the Oval five years ago, sponsored by West Indies Tobacco Company (WITCO) at a cost of over $4 million. Dr Camacho said, as soon as arrangements are completed to accommodate the “old” scoreboard in another country, the order will be placed for the custom- designed, technologically advanced replacement. He said he expected the “old” scoreboard to be removed by September, and  the order for the new one would be placed then and should arrive here in time for the England tour of the Caribbean next year. The “old” board bought by WITCO in 1998, was part of the combined efforts of the Oval authorities and  the West Indies Cricket Board to upgrade the venue. The upgrading also included construction of the CL Duprey Stand which included corporate boxes, and the extension of the players gallery and main stand.

Meanwhile, Oval manager Roger Henderson has decided to heed the call by West Indies skipper Brian Lara, during the recent tour by Australia, to improve conditions at the practice pitches. Lara blasted the pitches and said they were pathetic on which to prepare for Test or one-day cricket. Henderson said, the Oval authorities were working with some golf course officials with a plan to plant a softer grass to replace the current savannah grass. He also said efforts will be made to improve the pitches at the practice centre at the Oval.