OVERNMENT PRIORITISES BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT WITH MAJOR UPGRADES AND PLANS FOR INDOOR FACILITY

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, January 07, 2026 (SKNIS): The development of basketball remains on the front burner for the Ministry of Sport in Saint Kitts and Nevis. While making a contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate on December 17, 2025, Minister of Sport, the Honourable Samal Duggins, announced that a state-of-the-art indoor basketball facility will be housed at Warner Park as part of an overhaul of the multi-purpose facility, which houses the premier cricket, football, tennis, and netball facilities.

While these plans are being developed, the government is investing approximately EC $400,000 to upgrade Basketball City at Victoria Road. The scope of the refurbishment to date has included the complete demolition of the foundation for the basketball court and installation of a new, bigger foundation to meet international standards. The demolition of an older building at the Western end, installing a new drainage system for the court and the facility, upgrading the seating support structure and installing new bleachers. The removal of the existing lighting structures that at times obstructed the view of spectators, and the installation of new lights, renovating bathrooms and dressing rooms, and more were all undertaken.

This investment is particularly important as no major renovations were done to Basketball City dating back to the 1980s, according to Glenville Jeffers, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Basketball Association (SKNABA).

“An indoor facility will take some time to build. In the meantime, SKNABA needs to play its national competition. Yes, we can move around, but we have to raise revenue at a facility,” Mr. Jeffers said, after getting an update on the work at Basketball City on January 06, 2026.

He added that the upgraded Basketball City can also be used by other organisations and schools, particularly the Washington Archibald and the Basseterre High Schools, which are very close to the current facility.

“Not because we will have an indoor [facility], we are not going to need any outdoor facilities. We will still have to play outdoor competitions. You [also] have summer camps that will need outdoor facilities to play on,” he emphasised.

Minister of Sport, the Honourable Samal Duggins, said that he was pleased to deliver on this much-needed refurbishment, which will further advance the development of basketball and bring communities together through friendly rivalries.

“Although this space allocated here is too small for a proper indoor facility, there’s still some nostalgia for persons who grew up playing basketball here at Basketball City,” he stated, noting that he has had several memorable moments as a player and tournament organiser. “However, we do have to advance, and an indoor facility is necessary for Saint Kitts and Nevis. We have been designing a number of them, in fact. To date, we have three ideas for indoor facilities, and we are moving to construct accordingly.”