Cayman’s governing body for volleyball is viewing the current West Bay Road closure in a positive light.
The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation is preparing for the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation 2013 beach circuit opener this weekend and tournament director Fareed Hosein said the ongoing road work can only benefit the Cayman Islands and its sports tourism product.
“The federation understands the road closure is in preparation for improvements to Public Beach and the surrounding area, as such we will work with the changes and continue to facilitate our tournament and the spectators for this year,” Mr. Hosein said. “The federation believes that the West Bay Road developments will enhance the Public Beach facilities and also will assist us in preparation to host much larger tournaments in the Cayman Islands.”
Volleyball action takes place on Public Beach between 22 and 24 March. Games are slated to occur from 9am to 9pm on Friday; 9am to 7pm on Saturday; and 9am to 5pm on Sunday, with semifinals beginning at 11am and the finals scheduled for 2pm on Sunday. The tournament offers free admission.
Traffic figures to be an issue with the Esterley Tibbetts Highway extension inconveniencing commuters this week. Monday saw a portion of West Bay Road being closed to through traffic. There are diversions at the Yacht Drive section and on Lime Tree Bay Avenue beside Governors Square.
There is a new divided four-lane highway open from Yacht Drive to Raleigh Quay and West Bay Road remains open to local traffic headed to Public Beach or Calico Jack’s.
Hosein said spectators should not fear travelling to Public Beach or finding parking.
“We don’t believe this will affect attendance, however, we would like the public to know that the entrance will be from the North side of Public Beach only, during the duration of the event. “For this weekend’s tournament, the parking will be along the closed portion of West Bay Road next to Public Beach in an angled parking format, and the south part of the Public Beach parking lot, the north part of the lot will be closed to the general public.”
The road closure and highway extension are part of the ForCayman Investment Alliance between the Dart Group and government. The closure of the road will facilitate construction of Dart’s new hotel on the site of the former Courtyard by Marriott. To the south of the new hotel, Dart is providing government with an enhanced public beach park area.
There has been both political and public opposition to the closure of any section of West Bay Road. Government minister Cline Glidden Jr said last month that he did not find the closure controversial.
“I don’t think any future government will come along and say ‘we want to put a main vehicular road through the middle of the facility’ … but I guess it could happen. Crazier things have happened,” Mr. Glidden said.
The NORCECA tournament, being held in Cayman for the fifth straight year, is the first major event at the new look Public Beach. Some 40 squads from 15 countries will be competing, including powerhouse nations like Canada and Mexico. American legend Todd Rogers will be the featured participant. Cayman will be represented by 10 local players on two women’s and three men’s teams.
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