DEMOLITION WILL START IN TWO WEEKS of the dilapidated National Stadium at Waterford, St Michael.
And the process of building a new venue for athletes is expected to take more than two years.
The Ministry of Sports yesterday revealed plans for the demolition and rebuilding of the National Stadium which will be a spanking new facility, at a cost of $80 million.
During a press conference at the Stadium, Minister of Sports Charles Griffith said the Chinese construction company, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, has workers on-site and will start the process leading to demolition between April 15 and 16.
A local company has been contracted to complete the first part of the project.
Twenty-five Barbadian workers will be part of the project, alongside an additional 15 Chinese workers.
Griffith said he was pleased at the progress being made.
Mr Liang, China’s Economic and Commercial Counsellor, was delighted to finally get started.
“I think this stands as yet another symbol of the friendship between China and Barbados. After almost two years of hard work of technical teams, the interface work has already been completed. The general contractor has already mobilised on site.
High standard
“We are full of confidence and strong momentum. I really believe that through the joint effort, we can witness the realisation of a magnificent, high standard, high quality and totally new National Stadium,” he said.
Griffith said the first phase of the stadium would contain 10 000 seats.
“At some point in time, we will lay the road on the northern side, and that will facilitate phase two.
“That should also accommodate another 10 000 seats. But this phase one is being facilitated entirely by the Chinese and, again, on behalf of the Government, I want to extend our gratitude for this because this is important.”
Griffith said Government will construct two 400-metre tracks in the south-central
and north of the island.
“Only yesterday [Monday] in Parliament, $50 million was approved by finance to go to the National Sports Council. Because what we’re looking to do is to match what is happening here at the National Stadium.”
Griffith also lauded the athletes who have continued to improve and progress despite not having a fixed home.
“I was at Usain Bolt [ Sports Complex] last week for BSSAC ( Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships), and individuals were still doing their personal best. So I expect our athletes to go to CARIFTA [in Trinidad and Tobago] and do extremely well and represent the country.” “We would love to win gold, but if they go and they perform the way how they’re supposed to, then we’re grateful and thankful. The assistance in terms of what is happening is coming from Government and I realise that the head of the AAB (Athletics Association of Barbados) is very proactive, in terms of putting a programme in place to assist and to move our athletes forward in terms of track,” he said.
(SW)
