Members of the Potters Sports Field Redevelopment Committee today welcomed Sir David Harrison, principal donor of the multi-million-dollar Potters Sports Field Redevelopment Project, on his third visit to the site.
The Right Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, joined the visit and expressed sincere appreciation to Sir David for his significant investment in the development of the Potters community and the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Earlier this week, High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, the visionary behind this redevelopment, invited the Honourable Michael Freeland, the Parliamentary Representative for St. George’s, to conduct a walk-through and to update him on the plans and projected timelines for this project
The redeveloped facility will feature state-of-the-art basketball, netball and volleyball courts, a dual-purpose cricket and football field, a Little League baseball diamond, a children’s play area, a walking trail, and a half-sized Olympic swimming pool.
The project is designed to create opportunities for youth development, sports excellence, recreation, and community engagement while introducing new sporting pathways, including baseball, to young Antiguans and Barbudans.
The initiative has attracted support from several generous donors, including the late Sir Aziz Hadeed, in whose honour the cricket and football pavilion will be named the Aziz Fares Hadeed Pavilion.
Additional contributions have been provided by Satellite Energy Ltd., Ophir Daniel and Ann Chapman-Daniel, the Department of the Environment and Bonnie Floyd Ministries. Critical support and advice have also been received from His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Ministry of Works, the Board of Education, the Ministry of Sports, APUA, the Port Authority, Evron Zachariah from C.E.A.S Engineering, Cricket West Indies, the Survey Department and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
Importantly, 80 per cent of the labour force engaged on the project has come directly from Potters Village, ensuring that the economic benefits of the redevelopment remain within the community while fostering local skills development and employment.
The technical team advised that construction will be completed in phases, with the hardcourt facilities scheduled as the first major component to be delivered. Materials for the spectator stands have already been ordered and are expected to arrive by the end of July.
High Commissioner Hill noted that the project is ultimately about empowering the community that helped shape her. She emphasised that the facility will serve as a catalyst for physical health, mental well-being, social cohesion, youth development, and entrepreneurship.
Upon completion, the redeveloped sports complex will serve as a premier venue for community activities, school sports, and national events, while positioning Potters as a future host community for regional and international sporting activities, including the Commonwealth Games.