Minister Anthony pleased with progress of synthetic track

Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony saiud yesterday that he was pleased with the pace that the rubberized surface is being laid on the synthetic track at Leonora.

During a visit to the Leonora Synthetic Facility, Dr. Anthony stated:“We are happy that we are making this kind of progress and once people see for themselves that the track is in, they would know that we are nearing completion.”

Once the black rubber surface, which was bought from the German company, BSW Regupol is completely laid, it will be sprayed and the lanes will be marked to international specifications.

 Workers laying the synthetic material on the track at the Leonora facility. (Orlando Charles photo)
Workers laying the synthetic material on the track at the Leonora facility. (Orlando Charles photo)

During yesterday’s visit to the site, Stabroek News observed that half of the 400 metre surface was already covered by the rubberized material about 3mm high.

Speaking with the representative of the German company contracted to lay the surface BSW Regupol’s Dtetmer Jakel, indicated that the completion of the laying of the rubberized material will take a further two days barring any rainfall.

“On top of the rubber comes the sealer because the rubber is open pore, so then comes the sealer and then comes a 3mm self-leveling material from both sides and then we throw on the surface so that will be a IAFF standard Olympic running track, the same like in Barbados and Jamaica, everywhere,” Jakel said.

He also indicated that rainfall is the only factor that can halt the laying of the surface.

However, once wet, the BSW Regupol Representative indicated that  sunshine can dry off the rubberized layer and work can resume.

The track is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Construction at the venue commenced in 2010.