Soca lovers may have to enjoy carnival without the popular fete, H20 Soca.
Producer of the event, Luke Boyea, who is managing director of Hot 97 FM, told ANN that he applied for use of the Arnos Vale Sports Complex and had yet to receive a positive reply from the National Sports Council, which is responsible for the venue.
“Normally, at this time, I would have authorisation and planning would’ve been in place already,” Boyea told ANN.
“I haven’t booked any artistes or done anything relating to H20 because I have no venue,” Boyea said.
ANN understands that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will host the regional under-19 cricket tournament, which is scheduled to run from July 2nd to mid-August and, therefore, the Arnos Vale Sports Complex will be unavailable for carnival events.
When contacted, the manager of the Sports Council told ANN that he has received a directive to deny all applications for use of the venue.
When asked about an alternative venue to host the event, Boyea said that he was going to apply to National Properties Ltd. for use of the tarmac on the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport.
Boyea, however, said he also understands that the area would be unavailable for entertainment events during the carnival period.
He also stated that if the response is not favourable, he would have no choice but to cancel the event.
Meanwhile, Hans King Manager of the National Properties told ANN that people can apply for use of the upper area of the tarmac for events.
“Unless the policy has changed, I haven’t received any directive to refuse an application for the use of the Tarmac,” King said.
Other promoters who used the Arnos Vale Sports Complex to host carnival events told ANN that they are facing difficulties to get venues to host their events.
One promoter said they are at the point where they are thinking of cancelling their event.