Independence Park (Jamaica)

Independence Park
The Office
Full name	Independence Park
Location	Kingston, Jamaica
Built	1962
Opened	1962
Capacity	35,000
Field dimensions	unknown
Tenants
Jamaica Football Team Jamaica Rugby League (sometimes) 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games

Independence Park

Independence Park is a sports and cultural complex^[1] in Kingston, Jamaica built for the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It houses a variety of sports facilities. A statue of Bob Marley marks the entrance to the site.^[1]

External links in the sections below are to aerial views at Wikimapia.

The National Stadium

The National Stadium is primarily used for football (being the home field of the Jamaica Football Federation) but is also considered the apex of Athletic competition in the West Indies being home to Jamaica's national athletic team for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

It was built for the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games^{[citation needed]}, for which it was the main stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field and cycling events. It was also home to the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It holds 35,000 people.^[2]

Facilities include:

• a 400m IAAF regulation running track (a warm up track east of the main stadium was recently renovated to create a second world class competition track)
• a 500m concrete velodrome which encircles the running track
• a FIFA regulation football pitch
• a media centre
• 11 private suites and a royal box.

A statue of Olympic gold medallist Don Quarrie guards the entrance to the stadium.^[1]

Other statues in the complex include those of Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and Merlene Ottey.^[3]

Olympic size swimming and diving pools

The pools were built to host the aquatic events of the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games^{[citation needed]}. The main swimming pool was modified to accommodate the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games which required that distances be in yards as opposed to metres^{[citation needed]}. It currently seats 8,500^{[citation needed]}.

The National Arena

The National Arena was built to host the Weightlifting and Wrestling events events of the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games it holds 3,000 people and was opened in 1963.

It is now used for a wide range of activities including sports tournaments (netball, table tennis, etc), trade exhibitions, flower shows, the National Festival song and costume competitions^[4] and state funerals.^[5]

The National Indoor Arena

The National Indoor Arena was built adjacent to the National Arena to host the 2003 IFNA Netball World Championships. It holds 6,000 people and opened in 2002.

Notes and references

1. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.homeandabroad.com/c/36/Site/65921_Independence_Park_visit.html.
2. ^ www.fussballtempel.net
3. ^ Chessbase News, Jamaica welcomes Mega GM Nigel Short, Ian Wilkinson, 2006-01-26.
4. ^ Jamaica, Don Philpott, ISBN 9781901522310
5. ^ "The National Arena is traditionally the site of official funerals. This is the place where Jamaica honours its dead who have distinguished themselves in life with selfless and notable service to the nation." The Jamaica Gleaner, A poor example at the Arena, Dawn Ritch, 2001-05-20.

External links

• Independence Park at Wikimapia.

Coordinates: 18°00′07″N 76°46′18″W / 18.00194°N 76.77167°W / 18.00194; -76.77167