T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath is calling on the government to revitalise Guaracara Park, a historic cricket venue located in Pointe-a-Pierre.
The facility, formerly part of Petrotrin’s estate and now under Heritage Petroleum Holdings, sits near the compound of the closed oil refinery. It last hosted a top-level match in 2013—a T20 fixture between T&T and Canada.
The venue has returned to public discussion following an announcement late last year by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that fetes and cultural events would no longer be accommodated at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando or other state-controlled sporting facilities.
Bassarath renewed his appeal yesterday during a ceremony at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva, where the venue was officially unveiled as the home of the T&T Red Force.
“I believe Guaracara Park holds tremendous historical value,” Bassarath said. “As I mentioned in my speech, it has played a significant role not only in cricket but also in athletics and cultural activities.”
The veteran administrator noted that the venue has long been associated with major chutney shows and cricket matches, suggesting that any redevelopment project should be handled independently of Heritage Petroleum Holdings. He also recalled that the previous administration had indicated plans to upgrade the facility before leaving office.
“At a sod-turning ceremony in Palo Seco some years ago, the former government stated that Guaracara Park would be their next project. I hope that vision comes to fruition, because I would really like to see meaningful development take place there. It is also a very accessible venue in terms of transportation,” Bassarath said.
Highlighting its rich sporting history, Bassarath pointed out that Guaracara Park hosted 75 first-class matches between 1960 and 2011, often drawing strong crowds.
“I remember Mr Omar Khan speaking about a T&T versus Guyana match that was completely sold out,” he said. “I can also recall a North-South match in 1996 featuring Rangy Nanan for the South and Brian Lara for the North. On the very first morning, the ground was packed.”
In addition to cricket, Guaracara Park has hosted a variety of sporting events and cultural showcases, including the Chutney Soca Monarch competition for several years.
While the NCC has now been designated as the home of the Red Force, it will not host First-Class matches. Bassarath explained that the facility does not currently meet the required standards.
“We would have loved to stage matches here at the National Cricket Centre, but the outfield is not sand-based,” he said.
“The cost of installing a sand-based outfield is estimated at around $4 million, which is a significant investment to bring the venue up to international standards.”
