jan-2018

62 63 best to expand the Kensington facility rather than building newbecause it wanted to keep the heritage and name association of KensingtonOval,itself.” The Government of Barbados became a share- holder in theOval byacquiring additional surround- ing land for expansion,and providing resources for the construction.KensingtonOval nowoccupies just over 12.5 acres,with a playing field of 3.5 acres (140 yards in diameter).The outfield is comprised of 2.5 feet of graded layers of stone; gravel and sand plantedwith a hybrid Bermuda grass that allows the field to drain rapidly,even after torrential rain.Water is captured in perforated pipes and led to the perim- eter of the fieldwhere it is stored in 280 plastic cells. Sixcentral cricket pitches are similarlydesigned, with an eight-inch top layer of specially selected clay plantedwith Bermuda Princess grass. “Alongwith the newfield construction came additional challenges withmaintenance,”Toppin notes.“Even though it canwithstandmore than the traditional dirt field,the curation of it ismore techni- cal.The design has a great catchment and drainage system,but you still have to guard against issues with the specialtygrass and pests,and it is suscepti- KENSINGTON OVAL ble like anyother field towear and tear fromoveruse.” Transportation to and from theOval is convenient,thanks to its location at amajor intersection of roads lead- ing into Bridgetown.One artery takes you from the seaport to the airport. Another,running from the airport to the northern part of the island,comes off at the Spring Garden area and terminates at KensingtonOval.With the 2007expansion,onsite parking was reduced.But spaces are available offsite,and a shuttle is providedwhen necessary for large crowds.Aplethora of nearby seaside hotels and resorts provide accommodations for every taste–frombusiness travelers,to fam- ilyvacationers,to sports fans,to luxury getaways for couples. Toppin shares,“Alarge hotel chain in the Caribbean,theHennessyArtistry, holds their major corporate events here.On the perimeter of the field,we BEN TOPPIN CEO OF KENSINGTON OVAL MANAGEMENT, INC.