The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports has reported that arrangements are being finalized for the start of construction by year-end of the Indian Government-funded cricket stadium. The stadium is to be built at Providence, as Guyana prepares to host World Cup Cricket in 2007.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Ms. Gail Teixeira, had said in a recent press briefing that the drawing outlining everything that has to do with the facility comply with the request of the International Cricket Council (ICC).The drawing is part of the bid document that will be submitted on May 6, 2004.
"If all goes according to plan, Guyana could have the best cricket stadium in the region," Ms. Teixeira said. The stadium will cost US$25 million.
Twelve countries in the region have registered their interest in hosting World Cup Cricket 2007, and the number of bids will be known by May 16.
Part of the groundwork already laid for the project is the completion of a cadastrial survey. This was done in December last, and soil testing was done in January this year.
Tendering for land preparation is currently in process and this will entail leveling of the land and putting the necessary access roads, the Minister explained.
While this process is going on, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) is removing sugarcane plants from the land for the proposed stadium site.
By this month end, the successful bidder for the construction project will be known and work would begin shortly after. This process will be done parallel with the signing of documents for the actual stadium, to be built by an Indian contractor.
The agreement between the Governments of India and Guyana stipulates that the stadium project must be tendered to contractors from India who have experience in stadium building.
Ms. Teixeira said that by June it is hoped that all the paper work on the actual stadium-building contract will have been completed for work to start between October and December this year.
The building of the stadium to host International World Cup Cricket is a result of a cultural exchange between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana following a visit to India by President Bharrat Jagdeo last year.