Anil offers stadium as alternative venue for WASA fete

Anil Roberts

Sports Minister Anil Roberts has offered the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain as an alternative venue for next weekend’s WASA fete. Roberts is offering another venue - the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima - if the first is unavailable.

The minister made the offer following a legal threat led by Justice Minister Herbert Volney to stop the annual event. Volney's argument is that the noise affects newborn babies and other patients and staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope. 

The hospital borders the WASA compound, which is the regular venue for the fete. The legal matter has been adjourned to next week Wednesday, just days before the fete. Roberts told the media Volney is "excited" with the offer.

One of the points of objection from Volney on behalf of his constituents in St Joseph is the level of noise and the lack of security at fetes. Those same concerns exist in the Woodbrook area neat the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

However, Roberts  said he has met with residents and assured them that their top ten concerns would be included in any contract.

Among them is a visible police presence up to two hours after the event to curb unruly behaviour and better management of the noise level.