President of the Anguilla Football Association, Raymond Guishard, says the soccer playing field at the Webster Park Annex is hopefully being developed at a world class level. The aim is to attract regional and international professional players to play at the developed area and to groom local footballers for the fast-growing major sport on the island.

The hard-working Mr. Guishard

Mr. Guishard, known for his absorbing interest in the project, his dedication and hard work, was at the time mowing the playing field, only stopping the vehicle for a few minutes to speak with The Anguillian. “We now have five loads of sand which will be put on top the field which will then be in a very good condition,” he said. "The sand will even out all the bumps and crevices. The field area, when we are ready to play within the next six months, will be 68 by 105 meters. However, we are getting it ready to have some practice matches on Saturdays and Sundays as from next week and the playing area for those events will be 60 by 100 meters.”

At the western end of the field is the players’ pavilion and stadium which Mr. Guishard says will be “a centre of excellence.” The first floor will be dedicated to the spectators and players. This section of the building houses rooms for players, referees, medical treatment and stores. On the second floor are the conference room and the office for the Anguilla Football Association. There are four shopping and catering areas on the top floor (to provide soccer gear for players and meals for them and spectators), a VIP area and a commentary area. This first phase of the project is still being completed. The second phase will include a concrete fence around the field.

The yet to be completed stadium and playing field

To date, the project has been funded by a grant of US$400,000 from FIFA (the international governing body of football) which was used to purchase the steel frame from Reeds Steel in England. In addition, the Government of Anguilla provided additional funds for the building and for the flip-up chairs. The Social Security Board paid for the layers of Bermuda grass for the field. The grass was ordered from Puerto Rico at a cost of US$35,000. Other funds for the project were sourced by the Anguilla Football Association.

Mr. Guishard is of the view that such a facility will be an asset to sports tourism development in Anguilla, attracting a number of football clubs and professional players from all over the world, while serving the sporting needs of local players.

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