THE
Indian technical team, Thursday
evening, unveiled a plan for a 15,000-seat stadium catering only
for cricket.
In
a stakeholders forum at the Carifesta Sports Complex, the
participants surprisingly had no major questions or
recommendations for the two-man stadium team who were here for
local input before making the final plan.
Just
two questions were asked, one by a reporter on power supply and
the other by president of the Guyana Olympic Association, K
Juman-Yassin, if the stadium would cater for other sport
disciplines.
The
visiting team comprised Ashok
Thadani and Praveen Kumar who had a series of
meetings and visits to the site.
Kumar
described the plan for a stadium that would occupy 65 acres of
land at Providence on the East Bank Demerara, comprising the
stadium structure, vehicle park, a club, administration block,
hotel and sport village.
An
exact site has not been decided but it will be within that area
where some 100 acres of land space is available on the eastern
side of the public road, the choice being determined by several
factors including soil.
The
stadium proper with the parking lots will sit on 40 acres of land,
15 of which be for the parking lot accommodating some 3 000 to 4
000 cars.
A
road will divide the stadium and parking facilities from another
plot at the north of it, containing a 3.5 acres for the club, 4.5
acres north of the club for the hotel block and 2 acres east of
the club for the administrative building. The remaining 15 acres
will be for the sport village consisting of 300 to 400 houses.
Kumar
disclosed that the two-tiered seating area would accommodate 15
000 persons and the capacity could be increased to 20 000.
Beneath
the seating concrete structures, will be places for players’
rest rooms, shopping mall, private air conditioned boxes for rent,
among other uses.
Kumar
said the design displayed was only for cricket and it was in line
with standards set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
While
floodlights will not be installed initially, there will be
provision for such lighting in a subsequent phase requiring an
additional US$1.5 million.
The
play area will be of a 225 feet radius, another six feet with
plants separating the spectators and players.
Seating
tiers will be in concrete, although Kumar said the team noticed
that wood was used a lot here, with the first tier being elevated
some six feet for better view of the ground.
The
seating area that will be covered for protection from sun and rain
will depend on the budget for the stadium.
Initial
funding will be provided by the Indian government with subsequent
funds coming through a line of credit from that country.
Minister
Gail Teixeira gave a background to the stadium assistance from
India, while remarks were made by president of the Guyana Cricket
Board Chetram Singh and Thadani.
Chairman
of the National Sports Commission Laurie Lewis chaired the
proceedings.
