Harris Paints signed a memorandum of understanding with Kensington Oval Management Inc. (KOMI) to help ensure the cricketing mecca of the West Indies remains in tiptop shape.

As part of a three year agreement, Harris will provide consultation to KOMI that includes site inspection, production estimates, strategy development and recommendation of best-fit solutions, management and coordination of product and material orders, preparation of substrates for longer lasting results, along with providing dedicated management teams on a project-by-project basis.

During a recent site visit, Stephen Lashley, Minister of Sport, Youth and Culture, said the first phase of the partnership would be centred on the restoration of the iconic Clock Tower, along with the interior and exterior surfaces of the Garfield Sobers Pavilion and the Coppin, Cozier and Short Media Centre.

“Since the redevelopment for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the Oval’s infrastructure has held up well but we have noticed there were some areas of degradation, especially the Clock Tower. But this is to be expected for a facility that spans more than twelve acres and is exposed to heavy-duty use,” said Lashley.

“As the premier coatings company in Barbados, we were delighted when KOMI approached us to be a partner in the restoration and ongoing maintenance of this award-winning facility. We are certainly proud to be associated with such an important national treasure,” said Ian Kenyon, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Paints.

“Harris Paints prides itself on being a solutions-driven company, and as the ‘Caribbean Champions of Colour’, we are also passionate about our products, services and talents and we believe Kensington Oval to be the most fitting of venues to showcase this,” added Kenyon.

Michael Babb, Technical Consultant for Harris Paints, along with Oliver Estwick, Project Manager for KOMI, supervised the recent refurbishment which was completed ahead of the third Test between the West Indies and England.

“While this is an exciting opportunity for Harris Paints and KOMI, we fully understand and appreciate the reality and importance of budget constraints and the organisational process,” said Babb.

“As we were covering several different surfaces and textures in a heavy-use environment, we opted to use our Ulttima Plus line of paints that include seven different products suitable for a wide variety of substrates. We are very pleased with the results and we look forward to our continued partnership, and of course, a West Indian victory.”

Harris Paints offers more than 59,000 colours, along with countless custom palettes that can be created, matched or specified to suit individual needs. The company currently has operations in five territories across the Caribbean and sales in 15 countries, ranging as far west as Belize, to Jamaica in the north and Suriname in the south.