Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pledged to finance the expansion of the swimming pool at the Potters Playing Field redevelopment project, providing a major boost to the transformative community sports facility that is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The announcement came during a recent site visit spearheaded by Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, along with Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Investments and Transportation Michael Freeland, who represents the St. George constituency and CHOGM 2026 National Focal Point.

The delegation was joined by philanthropist Sir David Harrison, the principal donor to the project, as well as members of the board of trustees.

Prime Minister Browne’s commitment to fund the expansion of the swimming pool was welcomed by project officials and trustees, who noted that the additional investment will further enhance the facility’s capacity and long-term value to the community.

Sir David Harrison expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction and the quality of work being undertaken, noting that he was pleased with the progress achieved thus far. He also voiced confidence that the project remains on schedule for completion.

High Commissioner Hill noted that the project is ultimately about empowering the community that helped shape her. She emphasised that the facility will serve as a catalyst for physical health, mental well-being, social cohesion, youth development, and entrepreneurship. Upon completion, the redeveloped sports complex will serve as a premier venue for community activities, school sports, and national events, while positioning Potters as a future host community for regional and international sporting activities, including the Commonwealth Games.

The Potters Playing Field redevelopment project is targeted for substantial completion by September 1, 2026, approximately two months before Antigua and Barbuda hosts Commonwealth leaders in St. John’s from November 1 to 4.

Among the major features of the redevelopment are three modern hard courts for basketball, netball and volleyball. Each court will include a covered spectator stand capable of accommodating approximately 225 persons.

Contractor Agile Courts Construction has been engaged to resurface the courts, install lighting systems, apply court markings and erect security fencing, glass wall rings and polyvinyl nets. Project officials confirmed that all lighting equipment has already been procured and delivered to the site.

The facility will also feature a multi-purpose field designed to accommodate both football and cricket.

Work is currently ongoing to bring the field to its required grade level, with drainage infrastructure scheduled for installation before grassing begins. The field is expected to be fully sodded by August.

In addition to the sporting facilities, an electrical room is being constructed on the southeastern side of the complex to power the site’s lighting systems. Plans are also in place to incorporate solar energy infrastructure as part of the development’s sustainability features.

Construction timelines indicate that the hard courts and spectator stands are expected to be completed by September, while the swimming pool and baseball facilities are projected for completion by October.

The initiative has attracted support from several generous donors, including the late Sir Aziz Hadeed, in whose honour the cricket and football pavilion will be named the Aziz Fares Hadeed Pavilion. Additional contributions have been provided by Satellite Energy Ltd., Ophir Daniel and Ann Chapman-Daniel, the Department of the Environment and Bonnie Floyd Ministries. Critical support and advice have also been received from His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Ministry of Works, the Board of Education, the Ministry of Sports, APUA, the Port Authority, Evron Zachariah from C.E.A.S Engineering, Cricket West Indies, the Survey Department and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.

80 per cent of the labour force engaged on the project has come directly from Potters Village, ensuring that the economic benefits of the redevelopment remain within the community while fostering local skills development and employment.

The technical team advised that construction will be completed in phases, with the hardcourt facilities scheduled as the first major component to be delivered. Materials for the spectator stands have already been ordered and are expected to arrive by the end of July.

When completed, the Potters Playing Field redevelopment will stand as one of the country’s most significant community sporting investments, providing modern facilities for athletes, students and residents while serving as a lasting legacy project ahead of CHOGM 2026.