From cane fields to landmark – The Guyana National Stadium
Produced by the Government Information Agency (GINA)
Guyana Chronicle
April 1, 2007
THERE were many skeptics who felt it could not be achieved because the physical challenges and the dateline seemed insurmountable but President Bharrat Jagdeo, an optimist, accepted the challenges and boldly began pursuing the goal of a national sports facility.
Today, a magnificent structure, the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, the host venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, (CWC) is a landmark achievement.
Located at Providence on the East Bank Demerara, it is the only architectural design of its kind among the other CWC host venues in the Caribbean.
The facility boasts a seating capacity of 15,000, a parking space for about 4,000 vehicles, a high security zone, conference hall, club, administrative office, VIP and media centre and players’ pavilion.
The Guyana National Stadium and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua are the only two facilities to be erected from the ground for CWC.
How it all began
Guyana’s stadium had its genesis in August 2003 when President Jagdeo on a visit to India held discussions with officials of the Indian Government for support in erecting a national stadium.
The arrangements secured a US$6M grant and a US$19M soft loan from the Indian Government.
The following year, the agreement was signed by former Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar and Representative of the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India, Tarum Sharma. Shortly after the agreement, technical experts from India visited Guyana and engaged the government in discussions on the construction requirements.
In 2004, Guyana won the bid to host CWC 2007 after being awarded the green package that allows a country to host six of the matches of the Super Eight games.
Twelve countries had vied for host venue status but Guyana, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago were selected.
Shapoorji Paloonji and Company Limited from India was awarded the contract for the construction of the stadium. Its design was finalised through agreements between the Guyana Local Organising Committee (LOC) and architectural companies from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
The first piles being driven for the stadium
In August 2005 the first pile was driven at the Providence site. Work also began simultaneously on the playing surface by Teraforma, initiating the transformation of an empty plot of land, once used as a cane field.
The pitch and field were made with sand, clay, and a layer of grass. It was built with a submerged drainage system capable of taking off 90 per cent water. Its durability was tested on several occasions with practice matches.
By January 2006, Technical Consultant on the stadium Walter Willis reported that it was over 35 per cent advanced. International Cricket Council (ICC) officials made frequent visits to assess its progress.
More than 53 per cent of the task was achieved by April and the ICC gave encouraging reports about Guyana’s preparedness.
Challenges
It was, however, not all smooth sailing for the stadium. Inclement weather during the initial construction period had caused major setbacks in completion deadlines.
Construction was also threatened by a cement shortage which had affected the Caribbean but the government, with support from neighbouring Venezuela, secured an adequate stock to continue construction.
Stadium taking shape
Concerns were also raised about the preparation of the main playing area and the practice pitch on the southern section of the stadium.
Former West Indies fast bowler and member of the ICC Andy Roberts, on his tour of Guyana’s stadium, noted that the practice pitch should have been prepared simultaneously with the main playing surface and given at least one year to achieve full maturity. The surface, however, developed satisfactorily with intense preparation.
Meanwhile, work also began on sprucing up the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) and Everest grounds for practice purposes.
Proud Moments
By November 2006, the ICC was convinced that Guyana had met most of the tasks for hosting CWC. This was the appraisal given by Venue Development Director of the ICC Don Lockerbie after an assessment visit.
ICC CWC officials conducting inspection at the stadium
The facility was named the Guyana National Stadium. President Jagdeo had made a call for it to be given a name reflective of the national spirit, after it was commonly being called the Providence stadium. He also proposed that it be transformed into a facility that could accommodate various sport disciplines.
A landmark - the National Stadium
One of the memorable moments in the stadium project was a special dedication ceremony on November 8, 2006, attended by Vice-President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhwat, President Jagdeo and other government officials.
President Jagdeo lauded the architects, artisans and others in the construction of a stadium which he said is “truly a work of art and a wonder to behold”.
Hundreds of Guyanese got a first-hand look at the new facility after a trail run was staged on February 16, 2007. The exercise was a requirement of the ICC to test the operations of the manually-operated scoreboard, the media centre, security, transportation, volunteers and medical personnel.
The highlight of the event was the 20/20 tournament between the Young Warriors of Berbice and the GCC team.
The government made tremendous efforts preparing Guyana for the mega event. Upgrading of the East Bank Demerara road into a four-lane highway, beautification and enhancement of Georgetown and its environs, fencing and drainage structures and parking facilities outside the stadium were all part of the project.
Guyana’s investment for CWC
The private sector invested billions in hotels to create suitable accommodation facilities and services for the thousands of visitors anticipated for CWC.
About 12 new hotels in Georgetown and its environs were established from scratch, while 38 already existing were upgraded.
Among the new projects was the Buddy’s International Hotel, the first internationally recognised facility to be established, conveniently located next to the stadium.
The hotel, which is accommodating officials, teams, media and sponsors for CWC, boasts 250 rooms, a large pool and bar area, an entertainment arena with stage and dressing rooms, a conference room, two restaurants, dining area and a tennis court, among other amenities.
More than 2,000 rooms were also secured under the Bed and Breakfast programme that began in January 2006. The programme targeted household proprietors, encouraging them to provide a comfortable environment for visitors at a reasonable price and to share the Guyanese hospitality.
The facilitators
The LOC was established in Guyana and other host countries as a facilitating body for accommodation, hospitality and services for CWC.
The sub-committees were established for the overall planning and execution, public relations and marketing, local government and civil society, transportation and communication, security, health and emergency services.
The committee was chaired by two former Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport, Anthony Xavier and Gail Teixeira. Dr. Frank Anthony now holds this portfolio.
Guyana ready, stadium ready
Trial match held at the stadium in February
The government and the Guyana LOC worked intensely to ensure that the stadium and all the necessary arrangements are in place for hosting the games.
For the first time, Guyana is hosting the Super Eight matches for CWC, the third largest sporting spectacle worldwide.
During the event, Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean are under the watchful eyes of an estimated 2.2 billion viewers and the first match, played last Wednesday at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence between South Africa and Sri Lanka has already gone into the world record books.