Dominica’s new multi-purpose sporting complex at Pointe Ronde in Portsmouth is on course to secure the highest level of certification offered by World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field. The announcement was made by Michael Tovar, Track and Field Director for Mondo USA and the Caribbean, following an inspection of the facility.
Tovar confirmed that the complex is being assessed for a Class 1 certification, the top tier of World Athletics’ facility standards. Achieving this status would place the Pointe Ronde complex among a select group of venues worldwide that are eligible to host international competitions, including regional championships and world-level events.
The certification process involves rigorous checks of the running surface, track dimensions, drainage, and overall compliance with World Athletics technical regulations. Mondo, a leading supplier of athletics surfaces, has been involved in the installation and evaluation of the track at the Portsmouth facility.
The development marks a significant milestone for Dominica’s sporting infrastructure. The Pointe Ronde complex, located in the island’s second town, is part of broader government efforts to expand sports facilities beyond Roseau and to encourage youth participation in athletics across the country.
Officials have not yet announced a timeline for the final certification decision, but Tovar’s remarks suggest that the facility is in the final stages of the approval process. Once certified, the complex could attract regional meets and training camps, bringing economic benefits to Portsmouth and the surrounding communities.
The news has been welcomed by local athletics stakeholders, who have long called for modern facilities to support the development of sprinters, jumpers, and middle-distance runners. Dominica has produced several regional athletes in recent years, and the new track is expected to provide a professional training environment for both school and national teams.
The Pointe Ronde complex is also part of a wider investment in public infrastructure in the north of the island, including road improvements and community facilities. The government has positioned sports development as a key pillar of its national strategy, with an emphasis on grassroots programmes and international competitiveness.
World Athletics Class 1 certification is the highest of three levels, with Class 2 and Class 3 reserved for smaller or less specialised venues. A Class 1 track must meet exacting standards for surface performance, including shock absorption, energy restitution, and slip resistance, as well as precise lane measurements and markings.
If the certification is granted, Dominica would join a small number of Caribbean nations with a World Athletics-approved top-tier facility. The nearest comparable venues are in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, both of which have hosted major regional and international athletics events.
Local sports officials have indicated that the certification would also support the island’s bid to host OECS and CARICOM sporting events, further integrating Dominica into the regional sports calendar. The facility is expected to be used for football, cricket, and community events in addition to athletics, making it a multi-use asset for Portsmouth.
The announcement comes as Dominica continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Maria in 2017, with several infrastructure projects underway across the island. The Pointe Ronde complex is among the largest new public buildings completed in the north since the storm.
No date has been set for the official certification announcement, but Tovar’s statement signals that the process is well advanced. The facility’s management is expected to release further details in the coming weeks.