Neighbours object to football pitch floodlights

| 01/07/2021 | 49 Comments
CIFA Headquarters

(CNS): An application by the Cayman Islands Football Association for pitch lights has riled up the organisation’s neighbours, who claim they are being disturbed enough already by rowdy footballers and fans. New floodlights at CIFA’s national ground in Prospect would put an end to any potential peace and quiet they have left, they claim. The application is due to be heard next week by the Central Planning Authority, which has stated on the agenda that the objectors’ concerns must be discussed, as well as the visual impact and whether the lights warrant approval.

The decision will be one of the first controversial decisions that the new CPA members will have to make. In this case, the peace and quiet of the residential community is pitched against the controversial football body and the needs of local players. Two families who have formally objected both base their concerns on the “ever-increasing nuisance that is being created by the users of the field”.

The objectors say the field is used from as early as 6:00am “by a rowdy group” that wakes nearby residents every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. Although they have complained to CIFA President Alfredo Whittaker, he has failed to address the concerns. The objectors also complained about parking during games and training, as well as “instances of loud music being played day and night”, all of which will be compounded if the pitch can be used after dark.

This additional noise and traffic will also disrupt bedtime for young children and the bright lights themselves will impact many resident. “Based on the fact that CIFA has not addressed our concerns and complaints regarding early morning usage of the field, we have little belief that their decision making will factor the surrounding residents of Poindexter Road,” the objectors said.

However, with all football players in Cayman either in work or school during the day, the need especially for the national teams to play and train at night is evident, and that means floodlights. The application is for four LED Light Posts which will be located on Poindexter Road.

See details of the application on the CPA agenda in the CNS Library.


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Category: Local News, Sports

Comments (49)

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  1. Anon says:

    In South Africa, having flood lights is not a privilege, its a must. Here in the heat, I would think floodlights are more essential. Let the kids play football at night instead of roasting in the sun.
    As for the community, how awesome to have a classy football pitch with floodlights in your community. I would rather have the kids going down to watch some football than playing video games in the room.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Plenty of other public fields that have lights which are rarely used. No need for them to be more of nuisance then they already are.

    • Anonymous says:

      In the Brac, there is a play field in the back of the high school, but they always pay ball in front of the school, with those big bright powergul lights aimed right in the street blinding driver’s when they pass from the west there . Police should make them shine those lights more down and not right in the streets.

  3. Anonymous says:

    These lights are terrible for nocturnal life.

  4. Chris Johnson says:

    Firstly where is the money coming from to build the lights? Panama perhaps? CIFA has only just paid a significant fine to FIFA. Who paid that? CIFA still owes over $100,000 to the original company that supplied the fill. They also have a huge loan outstanding. Yet the previous government gave grants to them. Where did the top soil go that was recovered when the artificial grass pitch was laid. The original pitch was dug up because the salt water was killing the grass. who the heck was responsible for that?

    A well known accounting firm prepared a forensic report on CIFA yet it is not public information. So why should anyone in their right mind sponsor CIFA.

    CIFA is registered as a charity so it accounts ought to be a matter of public information.

    Having myself investigated CIFA I can tell you there were more red flags there than at the annual meeting of matadors in Madrid.

    CIFA needs to disband with a new association formed with board members who know what they are doing. Once this is done sponsorship with arrive as it does with other sporting clubs and the CIG can legally and properly give them grants. There are numerous people in Cayman who are willing to assist but not whilst the current structure is in place.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly! CIFA itself should be objected to not just their lights.

    • Chris Johnson says:

      So you five dislikes do you have anything to tell us beyond the fact you are anonymous. Perhaps you are backward in coming forward.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks Chris for this useful blog. I know you were investigating the missing top soil, did you find were it went.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I think after the Cayman Islands National Team can come back from competition with a trophy from, then the lights can be added. Until then, the Sports Complex and Annex Field can be used.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Problems will always occur when you get different structures next to each other, single story residential next to a single story residential, no problem. 10 story hotel vs 2 story residential = problem. Planning must look at the zoning and have a decent buffer between the zones, also any re-zoning should have a much higher level of discussion. Bit late for a football ground in the middle of a residential neighborhood, but they must address this for the future, or it will get worse!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Three people shot last night! Close the pitch and allow young to roam the streets with nothing to do. CIFA provides an excellent venue for young men, women, and children to be active. The field wasthere before any of the developments.

    • Anonymous says:

      False. The field was NOT there first.

    • Anonymous says:

      These losers that shoot up the place have CHOSEN to live as criminals. There are lots of activities but these fools like the “gangsta” life.

    • Anonymous says:

      Baloney. Using your logic, we should now have 22 young men roaming the streets with guns, just because they can’t play football at night. Crime & violence come from following wrong examples (parents, guardians, peers etc.) not from missing out on football, even though CIFA-bashing is a valid tho’ separate exercise.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Beyond the CPA or the Government this is about decency. The lack of respect shown by the men who play very early in the mornings on weekends is unbelievable. They act worse than 100 children’s groups put together. When did we become a society where people care so little about others? I am more than happy to have the CIFA pitch in my neighborhood, it’s a great national facility of which we should be proud, but those who use it must do so with respect and with a little concern for the surrounding neighborhood.

    And no, adding lights will not be respectful of the neighborhood. I will never support adding to the facilities until those who just it show they can do so with a modicum of decency.

  9. Anonymous says:

    This is an illuminating story. Some people really need to lighten up.

  10. Anonymous says:

    we live in cave nimby land….

    • Anonymous says:

      Complaining is the national pastime of the Cayman Islands. If you follow the threats on this and other forums, it’s mostly people complaining about something.

  11. Anonymous says:

    How long has CIFA been at that spot? If it was before the residential development then what did those buyers/builders expect if they chose to live next to a national football field.

  12. Anonymous says:

    LED street lights can damage eyes and cause sleep problems, health officials warn
    https://globalnews.ca/news/4122605/led-street-lights-eyesight-health-effects/

  13. Anonymous says:

    The American Health Association has issued a warning that high-intensity LED streetlights emit unseen blue light that can disturb sleep rhythms and possibly increase the risk of serious health conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The AMA also cautioned that those light-emitting-diode lights can impair nighttime driving vision.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Busy body neighbors. This is one of the few facilities keeping kids off the streets on a weekend. Grow up snobs (from an owner in Melrose Landing)!

    • Anonymous says:

      Buy them a damn Xbox and keep them off my lawn.

    • Anonymous says:

      A completely uncalled for remark!

      The children are fine (mostly) but this is first and foremost a residential neighborhood and there should be some limits as to what can happen here.

  15. Anonymous says:

    No worries, people have been strategically placed on the planning board to ensure this application is approved.

    • Anonymous says:

      Shakira Bush is Bernie’s daughter, a CIFA coach, and newly appointed planning board member. The media should make note of conflicts like this that wouldn’t normally be apparent to the general public. These are not state secrets.

      • Anonymous says:

        Shakina*

      • Anonymous says:

        Has Bernie stepped down from the CI Olympic Cmt? There is an IOC rule against politicians being on Olympic Committess

        • Anon says:

          Yes he has resigned. Obviously he cannot be Minister and on committees which his Ministry control.

          You have sense?

      • Anonymous says:

        Wow talk about a blatant conflict. WTH is Wayne Panton doing ? Is he ok with that ? Her father sits in Cabinet dealing with developers and she sits on the planning board. Is it possible they might discuss certain applications and he might “suggest” how he would like her to decide ?

      • Anonymous says:

        8.27pm Peter Campbell is also on CPA board. Wasn’t he the Contractor/CIFA board member who contructed the very expensive Clubhouse?

      • Anonymous says:

        Shakeina is the young lady’s name. I am sure she will have to excuse herself from that as there is a conflict.

        You all do know CPA meeting minutes are PUBLISHED on their website?

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