… Tenders for phase two of the project to be out shortly

THE construction of the Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA) headquarters at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, has been stalled due to funding but tenders for phase two of the project are expected to be out very soon.

This is according to the association’s president K. Juman-Yassin who spoke exclusively with Chronicle Sport.
According to Juman-Yassin, the GOA has already spent $60M to complete the fencing of the one-acre piece of land and foundation works to the planned two-storey building that is situated just next to the Amerindian hostel.
The former Chief Magistrate said very soon a tender for bids for the second phase, which will be the construction of columns and beams as well as the sealing of the top floor and which is envisaged to cost in the vicinity of $30M, will be out.
The GOA point man said a further $12M will be needed to cover the cost of completing the top floor which will house an auditorium to accommodate about 350 persons.
Juman-Yassin said the GOA pleaded with the government of Guyana years ago for a piece of land to construct its own headquarters but it was just about three years ago that they have been given the one-acre piece of land that is under construction.
He noted that the wait was a long one but he and the GOA are very thankful.
“When this phase is completed, the general public, corporate Guyana and the government will see what we’ve done and we’ll seek their financial assistance to complete our headquarters,” Juman-Yassin stated.
The GOA’s head office is currently located on High Street Kingston in a rented building but for years the association had been pleading with the Guyana government for a piece of land to set up its own headquarters.
On completion the GOA’s headquarters, which Juman-Yassin said is estimated to cost in the vicinity of US$1M, will also have a library, a sports museum and all other facilities any running committee should have.
Chronicle Sport visited the site yesterday and it was evident that work on the proposed building has been held up for some time since it seems that it is currently inhabited by cows.
The entire foundation has been completed as well as the fence but there are no gates so cows graze within the fenced area.
However, when completed, the new headquarters will create employment for a number of persons.

(By Michael DaSilva)