– Yassin says associations will be proud of facility

THOUGH there still remains much work to be completed, construction of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Headquarters, in Liliendaal, is making tremendous progress, and the association hopes to set up camp by year-end.According to Sean Cox, Project Manager of Naabi Construction Inc., which is undertaking this phase of the construction, some 35% of the works has been completed and it is hopeful that the association could move in by the time two thirds of the work has concluded.
In its entirety it’s approximately 35% of the building [is finished].” Cox said Friday.
Cox further explained that finances are the main influencing factor shaping the pace at which construction moves on the facility, which first began construction back in October 2012.
With the construction moving only as fast as funds become available, according to Cox, the goal is to complete enough of the building so that the association could move out of their current rental property and into their official home.
“It they get all the money tomorrow, then in approximately eight to 12 months I could complete the building, but because of funding they decided to do at least two-thirds of the building so that they can at least start using the building while they continue to receive funds, and continue to build.
The two-thirds will extend from the museum to the conference room downstairs.” Cox said
For GOA President, K. A. Juman-Yassin, he is hopeful that the entity will be able to make it into the building before the end of the year.
“What we’re trying to do is finish downstairs so we could move in. The overhead ceilings will be in place, the electrical things are already there, as we get money we got to work. I would say that by the latter part [of this year], hopefully within this year.”
Once completed, the US$1M two-storey facility is set to house over 10 rooms, including a museum, several conference rooms, and offices in addition to a kitchen and three self-contained apartments on the lower level.
Upstairs will comprise two patios for hosting social events, another three self-contained apartments, and the spacious hall that is expected to seat approximately 400 persons.
“They are working with whatever funds they receive, so what is going to happen I, they are going to finish the museum, finish the president’s room, secretary’s office, and the clerk’s office and the conference room, and as they gather money from renting the conference room, they are going to continue… as they garner money they will come upstairs and continue.”
Delighted with what has been completed so far, and what can be expected when the building is completed, Yassin said the GOA HQ will be a building that all the sporting associations in Guyana can share in and be proud of.
“It’s a dream. We could have built a small building costing $40M – $50M and we’re done but we’re thinking to the future. This will really create a building which we could all be proud of, in which all sporting organisations could say they are happy to be a part of . I’ve had the cooperation of all the associations, we’re working together.”
As for the support of the government, Yassin commented that “we getting it, we getting it now.” According to Yassin, the minister with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry, has seen the facility and is very pleased with what the association is doing.