Sport

World Cup venues on target, says Dehring

Chris Dehring - File

cmc

CHRIS DEHRING, MANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc., has indicated that stadium preparations in several Caribbean nations are on schedule for that event.

Identifying several countries, Dehring pointed out that the construction plans were already on stream and noted one country was already ahead of schedule.

"Pre-construction and site preparation plans are going ahead for the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua and will be complete prior to the mobilisation of the Chinese construction team who are scheduled to commence work in the later half of this year," Dehring told the West Indies Cricket Board's website.

"Barbados has now signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd as the management contractor for the redevelopment of Kensington Oval."

Grenada rebound

Dehring also said that Grenada, who were set back by the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September last year, were also streamlining their plans to begin actual construction for their stadium.

"Grenada is scheduled to complete the clearance of metal and other debris from their stadium in May of this year, with a view to construction beginning in August," Dehring said.

He said Guyana had been hampered by the severe flooding they had experienced earlier this year but were also scheduled to begin construction of the stadium in May this year.

"On 17 March the Government of Guyana and Indian Contracting firm, Shapoorji Paloonji & Company Ltd sealed a US $25 million contract for the construction of the Providence Stadium," Dehring explained.

"The contractor will mobilise six weeks from now and is expected to complete the project prior to October 2006."

He revealed that Jamaica was also currently on schedule with their activity of re-laying the outfield and refurbishing the George Headley Stand at Sabina Park. He further noted that this work was due to be completed in time for the South Africa series fixtures scheduled for that venue in May.

Warner Park

Dehring also pointed to St. Kitts as one country that was ahead of schedule with their upgrade of the Warner Park Stadium.

The top World Cup 2007 official said, while much time had been spent on"finalising all elements of venue design in line with ICC requirements and in selecting contractors", all stadia throughout the region were scheduled to be finished by next year December.