Restoration project at recreational grounds halted to facilitate bigger plans
The Ministry of Education & Sports has announced new plans for the pavilion at the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds, which was scheduled to undergo a number of repairs.
The restoration project which is managed by the ministry and overseen by the Recovery & Development Agency (RDA) was brought to a halt after the ministry requested the RDA to stop all on-going works to the pavilion to facilitate a new redevelopment plan.
“The final activity, the repairs to the pavilion, is presently being procured by the RDA. The ministry having held further extensive consultations with stakeholders and potential funders, decided to be more ambitious with its scope and instead of rebuilding the existing structure, has decided to develop a larger, more modern, multi-faceted facility to cater to the needs of the territory,” the ministry said in a recent statement.
It added: “In light of this, the RDA has been asked to cancel the tender and to plan for a more ambitious top-class facility, which can be achieved through intensive collaboration and partnership.”
Apology issued to invested contractors
The ministry also issued an apology to all invested contractors who would have begun the bidding process, but said their decision is one which will benefit the territory positively.
“We acknowledge that you have already invested in your bids thus far, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the cancelation. However, the decision to re-tender a more ambitious plan for the pavilion is a positive step, and we look forward to the RDA engaging with all contractors in the building of a premier pavilion,” the Ministry said.
Other works completed and in progress
A substantial amount of work has been completed to the AO Shirley Recreation Ground to date. These works include the construction of the wall and gates for the external perimeter fence; air-conditioned bathroom facilities for both male and female; installation of a new running surface to facilitate athletics; bathroom groundworks and drainage; and the internal trackside fence.
Meanwhile, the projects which are currently being worked on includes the design, supply and installation of stadium lighting, and the repairs to the grandstand, gym and sickbay.
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As a general expectation if you are an athlete, you have to look and act the part, ie, shoes, clothing, equipment……etc. So too must be the pitch, field, facility, track……etc that athletes compete on and in. The A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground was not a top notch, modern looking facility. The Sep 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the facility and in a twisted way provided the opportunity to reconstruct it not in like kind but differently.
Some repairs are already complete and useable. However, it was a sensible move to stop all remaining work and do what should have been done in the beginning. In the beginning, a holistic approach should have been taken in regards to the new reconstruction. The reconstruction should have entailed a modern, state-of-the-art, tip of the spear facility that reflects national pride and wow local, regional and international users. That “blue box” with basically four walls and a roof got to go and be replaced with a more architecturally pleasing and functional facility.
@Diaspora, “As a general expectation if you are an athlete, you have to look and act the part, ie, shoes, clothing, equipment……etc. So too must be the pitch, field, facility, track……etc that athletes compete on and in.” True that. Psychologically, if you look and feel good, you compete more confidently and competitively. Real talk!
I wish you guys had woken up sooner and halt the one for the stadium. For that exorbitant contract sum people still will be sitting without a covered seating area. That figure could have rebuilt and covered that area had we done our proper homework.
They come; they eatthe flesh of of the bones and leave you with a skeleton. That is their mosu operandi, relative to “third world countries.” Include inept and corrupt others, and the dealis completed.
Sad facts.