The Central Planning Authority this week is set to consider planning applications for three new football pitches in Grand Cayman.
Dart-owned Cayman Shores Development Ltd. is applying for a $2.9 million football field and pavilion on Jasmine Bodden Way in George Town, while the Cayman Islands Football Association is seeking permission to build two new pitches at its Poindexter Road facility in Prospect, at a cost of $280,000.
Cayman Shores proposal
The Cayman Shores Development proposal includes a pavilion, a regulation football field, three large training areas, three smaller training areas, a 100-metre running track, and parking for 78 vehicles.
The site, located near the National Gallery, would be accessed by vehicles via an extension to Jasmine Way, while pedestrians would be able to access it from the Cayman International School via an underpass beneath Esterley Tibbetts Highway.
The site is located in a mangrove forest, which the Department of Environment noted has been acting as a drainage basin for surrounding parcels of land, leading to concerns from objectors about flooding of the area.
Both the Department of Environment and the National Roads Authority recommended that a stormwater management system be put in place, which the developer has agreed to do, in the form of drainage swales, retention ponds, catch basins, deep wells and overflow wells.
Cayman Shores stated that its proposed professional grade football pitch and training grounds, which would be part of the existing Camana Bay Sports Complex, would support the growing demand for the island’s football leagues.
The Camana Bay Sports Complex is currently used by Cayman International School during weekdays and by local sports club at evenings and weekends.
“The field operates at full capacity with virtually no availability on weeknights from 5:30pm until closing, where requests for reservations are continuously turned down due to the high demand,” the developer noted in its application.
“To ease this demand, we are offering to install an additional FIFA rated sports field suitable for higher-level competition for local teams as well as additional surrounding turfed areas for fitness training. This will allow for greater capacity as practices and games can happen concurrently between the existing sports field and the proposed new one,” the company said.
Eleven neighbours have lodged objections to the project, citing concerns about flooding and noise, light and air pollution.
Cayman Shores, in response to the light pollution concerns, stated that the facility “is purposefully sited to not be in direct alignment of any existing residences”.
It added that the pitch would be illuminated with a state-of-the-art lighting system with controlled downward lights that restrict light spill. “This system is highly regarded in areas with dark sky ordinances and where playing fields are close to residential areas,” it said.
CIFA proposal
The CIFA plan involves the addition of two new fields to its existing Centre of Excellence pitch in Prospect.
The site currently contains a football pitch and CIFA’s administration office.
CIFA has previously stated that it hopes to eventually expand the facility into a mini-stadium, with bleachers and facilities for athletes.
The proposal before the Central Planning Authority at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, 5 June, only includes the two new pitches, an additional 92 parking spaces to the existing 32 spaces, a 6 foot high chain-link fence, and eight overhead LED light stands.
Neighbours have objected to the CIFA proposal, with some saying they fear that the existing vegetation buffer that helps block light and noise pollution from the existing pitch at the site will be removed when the new fields are added.
Others say their privacy will be impacted and that their properties will be devalued by the addition of an expanded sports facilities next door.
The National Roads Authority has also raised some concerns about the proposal, noting that the alignment of the proposed parking lot driveway on the northern side of the site plan cannot be located next to Lakehaven Close, and must be relocated.
It highlighted that there was currently a lack of sufficient parking for soccer games, and seating for spectators, stating that this was a “major concern, as spectators are seen parking along Poindexter Road obstructing traffic north and south of the location, hindering residents of Melrose Landing as well as parking along Rex Crighton Boulevar, which is a safety issue”.
It also noted that there were “insufficient welfare/changing rooms” and no accessible pathway for emergency vehicles to get to an injured player on the grounds.
It added, “Where there is adequate lighting for the fields, there are none for either parking nor do they have the CUC poles identified on the site plan.”
The NRA recommended stormwater management for the area.
Editor’s Note: The Cayman Compass is a subsidiary of Dart Media and Entertainment.
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