The long-awaited inauguration of the San Pedro Ambergris Stadium on Ambergris Caye took place on Sunday, May 21, 2017, with much fanfare . Residents gathered to witness the cutting of the ribbon of this new project and wasted no time in making use of it. Pastor Clive Welch opened the ceremony with a short prayer.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero expressed his sincere gratitude to those who have encouraged, promoted and participated in the sport of football: “From the San Pedro Football Field to Sacachispas and now the Hon. Louis Sylvester Sports Complex. It was from that old field that local football celebrities were born. They are local celebrities that now adorn our local hall of fame such as: Dimas, Spanish, Pancho Verde, Pelé, Steve, Chapo, Jaime, Panny Arceo, Chapin and more. Local football teams were: Los Atleticos, Espanoles, Los Diablos, Caribena, La Mafia, Ramon’s, Veterans, Mario Boys, Dolphins, my team Fido Rangers and much more.”
“It was those footballers who inspired our area of football which has brought us here today,” continued Mayor Daniel Guerrero. “A part of history, this stadium is dedicated to those footballers who came before this could be made possible.”
Other guest speakers were Area Representative Hon. Manuel Heredia, Project Director of BIL Kristy Mastry, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and Councilor in charge of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Leisure Sports Hector Tito Alamilla who all gave their view of this project and gratitude to everyone who made it possible.
Setbacks in construction pushed the inauguration almost two years after groundbreaking of construction in September 2015. The $4Mil, state-of-the-art multi-purpose sporting arena was designed and constructed to transform sports professionalism on the island and includes synthetic turf, stage lighting, VIP area/media booth, bleachers for 1,500 capacity, concession stands, lockers and bathroom facilities.
A total of four soccer matches were played, along with entertainment provided by Yaka’s Elite Dancers and Rompe Raja.
