FOLLOWING several enquiries from members of the public and even the sporting fraternity, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the engineering firm Design and Construction Services Limited (DCSL) yesterday give an update on the Leonora-based synthetic athletics track.
Present at yesterday’s briefing were MCYS Deputy Permanent Secretary Steve Ninvalle along with Director and Civil Engineer of DCSL, Patrick Pitt and Devi Prashad, with Ninvalle informing those gathered of his Ministry’s desire to engage the media fraternity every two months with regard to the track.
“The MCYS has decided to engage the media on a two-month basis, whereby we can have information as it relates to the track. I think this is the best way to go forward, so as to try to minimise any distortions that may arise,” said Ninvalle, who also stewards the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association.
However in his remarks, Pitt outlined the progress of the Leonora, West Coast Demerara-based track which is expected to cost within the vicinity of US$5M upon completion.
“The project in our estimations has more than 12 phases or lots. We started off with three of those phases which have several lots which should exceed 12 in total, with the first lot that was sub-contracted to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited expected to last for a period of six months.
“What we encountered when we started the track was within four to five months, we experienced a flood whenever GUYSUCO would have released its water from down at the back or even high tide, some amount of flooding would occur at the venue,” said Pitt.
He added, “The track was designed to be three feet or more above the road level and to bring you to the point of delay, when we started and encountered rain, it is impossible to take a machine that weighs over 20 tons; it cannot go in and do any work as the ground would be soft.
The other thing is by the time we get down to excavating the earth and set out the area, we encountered obstacles that had to be backfilled in six-inch layers which also took up some time, while BSW Regupol, who was employed to lay the track, needed to be there to give supervision.”
Pitt said that should the Germany-based BSW Regupol who gives warranties on their job discover any problems with the soil, they would have to restart all over, since the track which is of level 11 standards, was being built to international specifications.
“When all that is done, we had to consult with another overseas firm called Tensar International Corporation who specialises in track and what they do, is desire and manufacture fabric/grid for synthetic tracks and in our case, we took grid which is Triax160 to Linden to have it tested and send it to Tensar, who analysed it and designed the fabric/grid which would counteract or reduce the amount of settlement for a period of years,” stated Pitt.
He further explained other processes which Guyana could have gone through, but unfortunately, the funds is not available to have same done while he outlined a four-month wait for an answer from Parliament, that forced DCSL to suspend the works that were being done by the various contractors.
“In December when we got the No Objection to proceed from Parliament, then Tensar was closed for the holiday and even though their local dealer here was Mings Products and Services Limited, the contractor still had to wait for the delivery,” Pitt stated.
Looking at getting things right for the track and at the same time explaining the delays, Pitt said there are many small things that may seem unimportant that need to be done, as the protection of the athletes who will be competing on the track when it is completed should be a priority.
“There are times when the contractor finishes a layer and we experience rain, when they come to test the soil, the moisture content would be too high and you cannot have him put on another layer, as the moisture content is not conducive enough for that and we have to wait until that is possible.
“It is not an ordinary road where you can just add more bitumen or red lume and proceed with it, so I need you guys to understand what needs to be done in order to have this track built according to the specifications set out and, if you have to give a contractor time based on the results you are looking for, then so be it,” stated Pitt.
Ninvalle added that everybody including the Government would like the track to be completed as quickly as possible.
“There are certain things we cannot shift and some that we can and have done so. We’ve had some delinquent contractors who were dealt with forthwith by the MCYS, a trend the Ministry is embarking on, wherein delinquent contractors will be dealt with immediately.
“We want to deliver, but at the same time we want to make sure that when we do that, it is something that is properly done because we know there are concerned citizens out there,” said Ninvalle, while both Pitt and Prashad said seven other locations were looked at before Leonora was chosen.
According to Pitt they are up to Lot five on phase one of the contract, which was signed during the past week and until they have concluded all the lots with the aim to having the track completed, a date with regard to the completion of the track is not available, maybe until after the budget is read next year.