National sports stadium not impacted negatively by temporary use as medical facility
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Wednesday January 13, 2010 – Medical Director of the Jude Hospital Dr Chierry Poyotte has reported that the hospital's temporary housing within the George Odlum National Stadium, in Vieux-Fort, has not caused any damage to the infrastructure of the facility.
Dr. Poyotte says hospital officials were very keen on not affecting the infrastructural integrity of the stadium in their efforts to accommodate the hospital after the September 9, blaze.
In fact, he says the St. Jude hospital has actually upgraded the utilities infrastructure at the stadium.
“We have met with officials from the ministry of sports, and we have had some very productive discussions with them where we satisfied their concerns regarding the infrastructure of the stadium. We had a tour with a delegation from the ministry of sports and they were very pleased with what we have done to upgrade the electrical and plumbing infrastructure. We have caused no structural damage whatsoever.”
The Saint Jude Hospital's medical director is also assuring that national athletes will continue to enjoy access to the stadium for training.
He says officials expect to sign a memorandum of understanding shortly, to formalise the present agreement with the sporting fraternity.
“The athletes had concerns about their use of the track. I would like to indicate that all national athletes have access to the track for training. I think what the ministry of sports wanted was to clarify that agreement so that access to the facility would take place in an organised manner. We have no issue with that, because we believe that our athletes should have access to the track.”
Dr. Poyotte says hospital officials will continue to work closely with the ministry of sports and the sporting fraternity as long as the hospital remains temporarily located at the George Odlum National Stadium.
Government is scheduled to break ground for the construction of the new St. Jude hospital later this month. |
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