Debt fears resurface for St Lucia cricket ground

The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground has reportedly been plunged in into high amounts of debt again.

The facility owes power company Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) hundreds of thousands in dollars for unpaid bills.

According to an HTS News4orce report earlier this week, a WASCO bill for the stadium dated 14 November 14 showed that it owes $312,316.32 in unpaid bills.

This dates back three years.

In addition, a $250 reconnection fee and VAT on that fee of $31.25 is also due, since the stadium’s water supply has been cut.

While the DSCG still has electricity, it is believed that it owes a similar amount of arrears to LUCELEC.

This is not the first time that the facility has been in hot water with utility companies.

In January 2012, just before Saint Lucia hosted an international cricket match between West Indies and Austrailia, the public learnt that the stadium, the Beausejour Cricket Ground at the time, owed LUCELEC over $541,000 and a similar amount to WASCO. The stadium’s electricity supply had been interrupted.

The then Youth and Sports Minister Shawn Edward confirmed that the facility had not paid utility bills for three years.

Subsequently, the utility companies and the DSCG were able to develop a payment plan which was honoured by the National Lotteries Authority on the stadium’s behalf because the company which managed the stadium, Sports St Lucia Inc, was unable to meet these expenses.

In the past, the facility has also had troubles paying National Insurance Corporation (NIC) dues, owing $100,000 at one point.