… big plans in store for tarmac car park
GUYANA’S top sports officials, namely Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Alfred King yesterday paid a visit to the Guyana National Stadium, where they observed the paving of that facility’s car park by Dipcon Engineering Company.
Stadium manager and former Minister of Public Works Anthony Xavier said he was pleased with the progress being made by the contractors who commenced the job last month and promised to complete same by  October 27.
According to Xavier, when the paving exercise is completed, the stadium would be in a better position to host shows, fairs and even exhibitions, while an invitation would be sent to certain sports associations such as the basketball, netball, volleyball and lawn tennis to have them mark the area to use in the night, a vision that was seconded by Dr Anthony.
“This is a tremendous boost and facelift for the venue, as we have had many persons calling to enquire when it would be finished, as they are interested in making bookings for concerts, which means the Ministry’s aim of making the national stadium a multipurpose facility will soon become a reality,” stated Dr Anthony.
He said the paving of the car park should have been done in time for the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup, but due to the deadline date being met, the Government of Guyana opted to complete same at a later date.
“Presently, we are using inside the venue to host concerts, but with the paving of the car park, concerts and exhibitions just to name a few can now be hosted outside of the venue, where we will set up a permanent stage for such purposes.
This paving which should have been done in time for the ICC 2007 CWC, could not have been accomplished due to the deadline we were faced with. However, with same being done now, it will enable the Ministry to use same for the promoting of other sports.
In short, it’s a long-term year-round investment that will benefit the youths, as we will be inviting some associations such as the basketball, volleyball and even lawn tennis fraternity to mark out their courts for the purpose of further developing their respective sport,” Dr Anthony added.
He further informed the media gathered to note the sports officials’ observation, of his Ministry’s plans to execute more work on the facility and its surroundings, with tenders being received for the execution of facelift duties to the stands of one of the Caribbean’s fastest-drying cricket venues.
When asked if the stands would be remodified, taking into consideration cricket and sports fans get wet when it rains, PS King said same is not on the cards anytime soon.
“The paving of the car park is the first phase of our rehabilitation plans, with the second phase being the refurbishing of the stands, which will see them being sandblasted and repainted.”
He added; “Tenders have come in and will be opened next Tuesday for the execution of this project which when completed, following Cabinet’s approval, will guarantee no such work being done on the stands within the next 10 years.
However, there will be no modifications being done to the stands anytime soon. In order for us to do so, we would have to revisit the structure of the stands, as that would be a very technical job and while we do sympathise with those persons who have to face the rising and at times setting of the sun, followed by raindrops, I think that persons would more be in tune with the occurrences on the field of play,” stated King.
Manager of Dipcon Engineering (Guyana) Inc., Vishnu Mungal, said paving the car park has cost the Ministry G$103M and has promised it will be completed within the timeframe given at the signing of the contract, weather permitting, with the bitumen coming from their Coldingen plant here in Guyana.