Construction resumes on recreation grounds in BVI
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| Published on Friday, June 22, 2007 |
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ROAD TOWN, BVI: Government has resumed construction work on the eight-lane rubberised track at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds in the British Virgin Islands, after a three-month break.
Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith made the announcement in his Weekly Update to the Territory on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister said construction work on the track was temporarily halted following the visit in February by a senior representative from Mondo USA, the company contracted to design and install the rubberised surface.
According to the Chief Minister after supervision of the final asphalt base on the track, the Mondo representative discovered a number of problems that needed immediate corrective work.
The Chief Minister announced, however, that Government signed a $1.15 million contract on Monday with Herzog Caribbean Limited to complete construction of the base layers for the track.
“Herzog mobilised on site on 14th May in good faith and proceeded to conduct a survey of the current state of the track and have already started to carry out corrective works. They will also submit a report of their findings for our review,” the Chief Minister said.
He said that the company has already connected the drain pipes for the long jump pits, the hammer throw and shot-put cage, the steeple chase to the main drains that would take water from the track out to sea, replaced damaged drains, and installed additional pipes to enable proper drainage.
The Chief Minister said that one can expect setbacks on any project, but these surmounting problems prompted Government to halt the project to ensure value for money. “Therefore, in keeping with our commitment to this project, we were forced to make some hard decisions to get the project on the right track,” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also saluted the Territory’s coaches and athletes, commending them for representing the BVI with distinction in regional athletic events despite not have a suitable track.
“Without a track, the BVI track team continues to excel and in April won one gold and two silver medals at the 35th CARIFTA Games, a true mini Caribbean Olympics which was held in the Turks and Caicos Island of Providenciales,” he said.
The Chief Minister also voiced his gratitude to the community for its understanding while Government seeks to complete the project. “Thanks for your patience as we remain committed to seeing this project through to the end,” the Chief Minister said.
“Once the rubberised track is installed, we will be able to turn to the international track and field governing body to secure certification to host international events,” said the Chief Minister, while reiterating Government’s commitment to developing and promoting recreational and sports programmes in the Territory. |
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