Kensington Oval is Barbados’ oldest cricket ground having been established in 1882 when Pickwick Cricket Club leased 4 acres of pasture land from Kensington Plantation and started to develop it as a cricket ground with a clubhouse. In 1914 the Barbados Cricket Committee the forerunner of current Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) bought the Oval but continued to allow Pickwick to lease the ground until 2004. With significant investment from the BCA the ground was expanded and upgraded over the years and by 2004 had grown to just over 7 acres.
With the West Indies being approved as the venue to host the International Cricket Council’s Cricket World Cup in 2007, (ICC CWC 2007) the decision was taken in 2003 to completely redevelop Kensington Oval to international cricket and safety standards. In June 2005 it was vacated by the BCA to allow the redevelopment to take place. The Oval was formally reopened on 17th February 2007 and hosted seven matches of the ICC CWC 2007 including the Final on 28th April 2007.
The redeveloped Oval was designed by Dipesh Patel of Arup Associates of the United Kingdom and he supported by a team of local consultants. The Oval’s designs were a part of the portfolio which won Arup Associates the prestigious Building Design 2007 Architect of the Year Award in the leisure/Sport category. A team of local contractors led by India’s largest engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen & Toubro Ltd. worked tirelessly over 20 months to complete the redevelopment at a cost of $135 million. A plaque commemorating their accomplishment is mounted at the main gate of the Oval.
A statue of His Excellency The Right Honorable Sir Garfield Sobers National Hero of Barbados universally recognized as the world’s greatest cricketer and in whose honour the Players Pavilion is named dominates the entry to the Oval.
The Oval has been used for various events other than cricket such as soccer, hockey and other field sports pageants cultural events, concerts and meetings. Events like the Rihanna concert, Machel Montano concert, and countless other reggae, gospel and soca events. With artist like Beres Hammond, Taurus Riley, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Donnie McClurkin to name a few, have all graced stages at the Oval.
Our plant boasts forty-six comfortable hospitality suites equipped to facilitate translators. These varied-size suites are great for large meetings and trade shows or conventions and are also suitable for smaller workshops and group meetings.
Call us today at (246) 537-1600 or email us to learn more about our conference facilities.
