PUBLIC forum: Minister Gail Teixeira gives a background to the stadium project. From left are Ashok Thadani and Praveen Kumar, while NSC chairman Laurie Lewis is at right. (Quacy Sampson photo)
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.