Belize Infrastructure Limited plans on renovating Ambergris Stadium

San Pedro’s two fields, the Ambergris Stadium and the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting Arena, are improperly landscaped, prone to flooding and inadequate for sporting activities. The Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting Arena was inaugurated in March, 2014 and replaced the “Saca Chispas” Football Field. The arena was initially intended to have an improved football field, but even after completion, the arena’s landscape is not suitable for sports. Mastry stated that several changes were made on the original design for the Honorable Louis Sylvester Arena. “It was not feasible to make the Honorable Louis Sylvester Arena a regulation football field because the maintenance cost would be too high. A proper football field should be landscaped with grass, the area where the Honorable Louis Sylvester Arena was built is not suitable for growing grass, and importing grass from elsewhere is far too costly. The arena can still be used for sporting activities even though it is more suitable for hosting town events,” said Mastry. The original Saca Chispas Football Field was twice as large as the current arena, had ample seating grounds and was not covered in hard core and sand. Island athletes have commented that the arena is no longer suitable for sports as the ground was not properly landscaped and can lead to injuries due to the gravel, stone and shell materials used for land fill. In addition the arena becomes muddy during rain as the land fill material is too loose and there is no proper drainage.

The island’s second sporting complex, the Ambergris Stadium, is not suited for sports play either. The field is un-kempt as it receives little maintenance. It is also uneven and prone to flooding. According to Mastry, the stadium will be renovated to fit the needs for sporting practices. “The Ambergris Stadium project is currently is in the design phase which should be completed by October 2014. Upon the completion, the stadium will be the islands’ top sporting complex, equipped with state of the art facilities to foster sports, in particular, football,” said Mastry, who is hopeful that the Ambergris Stadium project will start no later than January of 2015. “Once the Ambergris Stadium project is completed, San Pedro will have a regulation size football field. The stadium will also be suitable for softball, running and track and field.”

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Work on the Ambergris Stadium to start in August

A year after announcing plans to renovate the Ambergris Stadium, the Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) has announced that works will start in mid-August, 2015. Ambergris Stadium, located in the Alta Mar area, is the only official football field on the island and is used on a daily basis for recreational activities. Currently the field and its facilities are in a deplorable condition, but according to BIL, once the project is complete the field will boast state of the art facilities.Ambergris Stadium Land not Sold-3

BIL General Manager Christy Mastry indicated that designs for the stadium are currently being finalized. “Our consultants and designers are working on plans for the Ambergris Stadium. This is the last stage before the project contract can go to construction agents for bid. Once everything goes as planned, construction is expected to break ground by mid-August or early September,” said Mastry. $2 million has been allocated for the renovations, which will include a grass pitch, bleachers to seat 800, locker facilities, concession stands, bathroom facilities and a storage unit.

Mayor of San Pedro, Daniel Guerrero stated that the project is eagerly being awaited as this island is very sports oriented. “The renovation of the Ambergris Stadium will benefit everyone. Our children will have a proper place to practice their sports and even adults will enjoy it, especially those who play football. This island is growing and we need to continue the development, so projects like this are always welcomed,” said Guerrero. He also indicated plans to construct two basketball courts. “In reality it was $5 million that was allocated for the development of a sporting facility in the island. But the renovation of the field is not going to cost that much. So what we are going to do with the remainder of the monies is to build two basketball courts. These court will be designed as domes and we are thinking of placing one in the San Juan/Boca del Rio Area and one south of San Pedro Town,” said Guerrero. Construction on the basketball courts will not be established until after the renovation of Ambergris Caye is finished.

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Preparations are well underway for the construction of the new Ambergris Stadium located in the San Pablo area. The bleachers, stall and restrooms have been removed as you can see on the pictures.