WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN is raising alarm over the deteriorating condition of the Sentro Deportivo Korsou (SDK) stadium and is demanding immediate clarity from Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn regarding long-promised renovation projects.
In a letter addressed to the minister, the party expressed serious concerns about what it describes as the continued neglect of Curaçao's most important sports complex, despite recent government investments in several neighborhood sports facilities across the island.
According to MAN-PIN, while upgrades to local sports fields are welcome, the SDK complex remains in poor condition and continues to show clear signs of deferred maintenance.
Concerns Over Multiple Facilities
The opposition party pointed to several key facilities within the SDK complex that it says require urgent attention.
Among the facilities highlighted are the athletics track, the Enith Brigitha swimming pool, the Errol Rooi sports hall, and the national football stadium.
According to MAN-PIN, these facilities have suffered from years of deterioration and inadequate maintenance, raising concerns about the quality and safety of the infrastructure used by athletes and sports organizations.
The party argues that the condition of the complex does not reflect the central role SDK plays in the island's sporting community.
"Heart of Curaçao Sports"
MAN-PIN described the SDK complex as the beating heart of sports in Curaçao, noting that thousands of athletes, students, sports federations, and athletes with disabilities use the facilities on a daily basis.
The party stressed that the complex serves not only as a venue for competitive sports but also as an important center for youth development, physical education, and community activities.
According to MAN-PIN, the condition of the facilities directly affects the ability of athletes to train and compete at a high level.
Questions About Delayed Renovations
The opposition also reminded the minister that plans to renovate the athletics track were publicly announced with significant fanfare last year.
However, the party says that despite those announcements, no visible progress has materialized and the promised improvements have yet to be delivered.
MAN-PIN is now seeking detailed information on the status of the renovation plans, available funding, timelines for execution, and the government's broader strategy for restoring the SDK complex.
Call for Urgent Action
The party argues that maintaining high-quality sports infrastructure is essential for the continued development of local athletes and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among young people.
MAN-PIN is urging the government to provide immediate answers and concrete timelines for the rehabilitation of the stadium and its associated facilities.
With Curaçao increasingly investing in sports development and international competition, the opposition believes that restoring the island's premier sports complex should be treated as a national priority.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has not yet publicly responded to the questions submitted by the MAN-PIN faction.