Menu

New National Party

NATIONAL ATHLETIC AND FOOTBALL STADIUM TO BE COMPLETED IN 20 MONTHS

China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the firm entrusted with the responsibility to reconstruct the National Athletic and Football Stadium in Grenada, says work will be completed in 20 months.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday 17th December, 2013, officially marking commencement of the project, the Company’s Manager, Xuefu Zhang, noted that they have already begun doing preliminary work.

Over the past month, the Chinese workers together with some thirty Grenadians, have been constructing dormitories to house the many members of the Corporation’s team.

Mr. Xuefu indicated that China State Construction will provide Grenada with a facility of the highest international standards. It’s reported that as the work progresses, more than one hundred Grenadians will obtain employment.

When completed, it will accommodate some seven thousand patrons.

The Athletic and Football Stadium, which was destroyed by hurricane Ivan on September 2013, will be rebuilt with grant funds from the People’s Republic of China.

This comes on the basis of a lobby made by Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, back in 2005 when he opened up diplomatic relations with China. It was among the many requests made at the time of negotiations. The package also included the reconstruction of the cricket stadium which was also destroyed by hurricane Ivan, as well as the construction of 2000 low income houses.

The cricket stadium was rebuilt in 18 months, in time for the 2007 ICC World Cup competition, with Grenada afforded some of the tournament matches.

However, the Athletic and Football Stadium project was not put upfront on the planning agenda of the NDC administration during July 8, 2008 to February 19, 2013, not until August 2012 when Kirani James won the gold medal at the Olympics in the 400-metre event for Grenada. Following that there have been many unexplainable delays.

With the New National Party (NNP) taking office in the February 19, 2013 general elections, Prime Minister Mitchell took up the mantle again and placed the reconstruction of the Athletic and Football stadium high on his Government’s development agenda.

At the sod turning ceremony, he underscored the importance of the project, speaking about the development of young people as the paramount feature behind his Cabinet’s deliberations.

Remembering the work the Chinese workers on the reconstruction of the National stadium and the rapid response of the Chinese Government following discussion with the ruling NNP administration lately, Dr. Mitchell views a good working relationship between the two countries that will help in Grenada’s further socio-economic recovery.

With the projected 20-month completion time-frame, already, Grenada has its sights set on the 2016 CARIFTA Games.

First published 18TH, December, 2013

Go Back

Comment