GUARACARA Park in Marabella, South Trinidad, is set to rise again and reclaim its status as an iconic sports venue that has hosted countless memorable performances.
Following persistent calls for action — most recently from T&T Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath — refurbishment work has officially begun to restore the facility to its former glory. The ground, located within the Petrotrin refinery compound, fell into disrepair after the plant’s closure in 2018. That shutdown not only deprived sporting and cultural communities of a premier southern venue but also silenced Marabella’s once‑vibrant local economy when thousands of workers lost their jobs.
The decline had a major impact on nearby communities and stymied the development of young cricketers and athletes across disciplines who for decades relied on Guaracara as a platform. Bassarath, who played club cricket at the ground, visited earlier this week and said he was pleased to see long‑overdue progress.
He recalled engaging Petrotrin officials as far back as January 2022, including senior manager Nicholas Hunte and Clayton Mohammed, and stressed that restoring the facility would help revive team sports weakened by the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Between 1960 and 2011 Guaracara Park staged at least 75 first‑class matches. It hosted the Beaumont Cup’s North v South fixtures — a key trial for national selection — and witnessed landmark performances: Phil Simmons’ double century (202 vs Guyana), Prince Bartholomew’s eight for 27 (North v South, 1975) and Australian spinner Stuart MacGill’s match figures of 13 for 74 for a WI Board XI in 1999. Before 1988, Guaracara’s floodlights made it the venue for all domestic limited‑overs matches. The ground also attracted thousands for international athletics and cycling events such as the Southern Games and routinely hosted sell‑out cultural shows thanks to its accessibility and parking.
Bassarath has repeatedly offered TTCB support for the restoration and urged urgent attention. During Tuesday’s visit he met Clyde LaBorde of Guaracara Holding Company, which is overseeing the remedial work. Planned and ongoing tasks include relaying the playing strip, grading and compacting the outfield, demolishing a dilapidated pavilion and renovating another. Since March, perimeter clearing has been completed and the practice nets and training area in the south‑east corner have been readied.
LaBorde said much progress has been made and confirmed plans for a modern electronic scoreboard. He expressed optimism that corporate partners will join to help offset restoration costs.
The revival of Guaracara Park takes on added urgency amid government restrictions on public use of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Hasely Crawford Stadium for events such as Carnival fetes, highlighting the need for accessible regional venues.