Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party's (ABLP) proposed sports infrastructure plans as practical and achievable, while dismissing the United Progressive Party's (UPP) competing proposal as financially unrealistic. According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the comments as both parties outline their platforms ahead of the April 30 general election.
Browne pointed to several key commitments in the ABLP manifesto, including the construction of a modern indoor multi-sports complex, a new aquatic centre, and upgrades to existing facilities such as the track at the JSC and the motorsport racetrack at North Sound.
"Our manifesto speaks to a new modern indoor multi-sports facility… and this is certainly within our capacity," Browne said.
The Prime Minister described the planned aquatic centre as modern but appropriately scaled, emphasising that the administration's approach prioritises meeting national needs without incurring excessive costs. He also acknowledged the deteriorating condition of the JSC track, confirming it requires rehabilitation, and said a few million dollars would be directed toward upgrading the North Sound motorsport facility.
Browne took direct aim at the opposition's proposed multi-sports arena, arguing that it would exceed one billion dollars in cost and lacks a clearly defined funding mechanism.
"When we costed the facility that they proposed to build, it will cost over a billion dollars, and we keep asking where the money is going to come from," he said.
He characterised the UPP's proposal as both "outlandish" and "ostentatious," contrasting it with what he described as the ABLP's grounded, implementation-focused approach to sports infrastructure.
Browne also noted that his administration was responsible for establishing the North Sound racetrack, framing the party's broader infrastructure record as evidence of its ability to deliver on its commitments.
