The Cayman Rugby Football Union is planning to build an $8 million rugby complex with two pitches in West Bay.
The application, submitted by APEC Consulting Engineers Ltd. on behalf of Cayman Rugby Football Union, was scheduled to be heard by the Central Planning Authority on Tuesday, 29 April.
The proposed complex includes the two pitches, a single-storey clubhouse, a gym and storage facility, according to the CPA meeting agenda.
Currently, Cayman has one rugby ground, at the Cayman Islands Rugby Club facility on South Sound Road in George Town.
Rugby “continues to grow in popularity, with over 2,000 registered players from under-6 to national men and women squads”, the Cayman Rugby Union said in the application.
It added, “The union is in need of a second facility.”
However, joint owners of a land parcel near the proposed location stated in an objection letter, “We are not totally opposed to the use of the said property for sports expansion and development, but we wish to mention and register our ideas on matters of importance regarding the proposed exploitation … of this particular open space in our island community.”
One of their concerns is “undue and detrimental flooding” to their home property and other adjoining properties. They added, “Planning for appropriate drainage would be of utmost importance.”
The letter urged the board to consider the impact on neighbours from floodlights and noise by limiting the hours of operation.
