Antigua government gives green light for High Performance Centre

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

In a landmark decision, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has authorised the establishment of a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Campus and High-Performance Centre at Coolidge.

The project will be implemented in phases from 2026 to 2030, and will see the redevelopment of the 20-acre campus in Coolidge now solely owned by CWI, to create a fully integrated ecosystem for elite cricket development, sports science, education, and commercial activity.

The proposal was approved by the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda following a recent meeting with Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Minister of Sport Daryl Matthew, where the details of the project were shared by CWI representatives, including President Dr Kishore Shallow and CEO Chris Dehring.

The decision was welcomed by Dr Shallow, who described the project as “a pivotal investment” in West Indies cricket.

“We are deeply appreciative of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for their vision and support of this transformative initiative.

“This campus stands as a pivotal investment in the future of West Indies cricket, providing a centralised platform to strengthen our player development pathway and elevate the standard, consistency, and competitiveness of our teams across all formats,” Shallow said.

“Equally significant, it enhances our capacity to build a more robust and diversified financial model, harnessing the synergies of sport, tourism, content production, and innovation to secure the long-term sustainability and growth of West Indies cricket.”

The world-class facility will serve as a central hub for high-performance training, advanced analytics, and athlete preparation, ensuring that players across the region benefit from modern infrastructure, data-driven coaching, and integrated support systems.

Importantly, the inclusion of a full-time cricket academy and high school will provide a structured environment for young talent, combining academic development with elite cricket training and expanding access to opportunity for the next generation.

Dehring said the project was important to the long-term growth and continued viability of cricket in the region.

“The development of a world-class high-performance campus is a necessary first step in modernising our production pipeline, fully embracing the use of advanced technology including simulators and other high-tech training equipment. But we can’t stop here. This campus will benefit all countries in the Caribbean, and we hope Antigua and Barbuda’s lead will inspire others to establish similar facilities,” Dehring said.

CWI also accentuated the project’s considerable commercial value, framing it as a critical step towards building a more sustainable and diversified financial future for the organisation.

The integration of sports tourism, broadcasting infrastructure, events, and hospitality offerings will unlock new revenue streams, reduce reliance on traditional income sources, and enhance the overall commercial ecosystem surrounding West Indies cricket.

The co-location of CWI’s administrative headquarters and key partners, alongside a dedicated broadcast and production facility, will further strengthen operational efficiency while positioning the region as a central hub for global cricket content creation and distribution.