ABFA’s Paynters facility seating to be erected

The Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) development and technical centre in Paynters could be equipped with seating within a few weeks as the body continues to develop the FIFA Goal Programme located on Factory Road.
This is according to President of the organisation and former national striker, Everton “Batow” Gonsalves, who said work has already commenced on the erection of some seating.
“Project seating has commenced and so you will see the first set of stands being fully implemented and then we expect another container so that will continue. The lights are expected within a further week from that going down so phase by phase I’ll keep you [the public] informed as to what is going on at the Paynters project,” he said.  
The facility has been under construction for over 15 years but has seen significant progress over the past 10 years with the laying of an artificial turf.
Gonsalves said they could be forced to host some matches there as they make way for some Independence events to be held at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG).
“We won’t be able to play the double-header there because the light is not befitting of premier division play at this point in time but certainly, the surface and whatever seating, whatever bathroom accommodations could be put in place quickly. We are hoping all remains well because we’ve started out just lovely and we want to keep the momentum going at the ARG for as long as possible until we get up there up to speed,” the president said. 
The ABFA’s top flight is set to commence this weekend with a double-header on Saturday and a triple-header on Sunday but will break for the independence celebrations.
The former Villa Lions player is hoping for a smooth transition.
“During the week, the Independence committee comes in to get ready for the Independence activities and based on what we received back after that then we will have to make a determination but we are keeping our fingers crossed. The committee is working well with us and we’re working well with them also and they have assured me that minimum, if any, damage will be done to the playing surface and that there will be in a position to return it to the ABFA in the condition they received it,” he said.
The property received a “soft opening” in December of 2016 and, since then, has been used to host national team training sessions and some ABFA and academy matches.