Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
THE CONSTRUCTION of Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny, which was slated to begin a month ago, is behind schedule.
However, newly-appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Jamaica's local organising committee for the ICC WI Cricket World Cup 2007, Robert Bryan, has promised that the country will be ready when the sport's showpiece event arrives.
"Things are progressing reasonably well and I have no doubts that we, Jamaica Cricket World Cup 2007 will be able to deliver on what we have been contracted to do," he said.
Bryan and his company have already secured accommodation for the over 1,100 officials, players and sponsors who are to be part of the 20,000 visitors, who are expected to flock the island for the event.
While this part of Jamaica Cricket 2007 work has been done, venue preparation at Greenfield in Trelawny still remains an issue.
Work at the country's premier venue, Sabina Park, continues to progress smoothly with the contractors now in the process of putting in the foundation of the new North Stand.
NEPA APPROVAL
Bryan said essential amenities such as water and electricity have been channeled to the site, but general work at the Greenfield Stadium is still to get off in a major way.
However, he has every confidence that the Chinese contractors, COMPLANT, will deliver it before the November 2006 deadline.
"All the preliminary work and contractual arrangements for beginning the Greenfield has been done. We are now waiting on the final approval from NEPA (National Environment Planning Agency), which we expect to get in short order," Bryan said.
NEPA has to give approval for the building of the stadium to take place and Dr. Grace Turner, its communications manager, was unable to give a timeline as to when they will be giving approval for the building of the stadium.
Dr. Turner says that, although they are in possession of an Environmental Impact Assessment from Jamaica Cricket 2007 which they received on July 17, NEPA has to consider recommendations from other sister agencies before approval for building can be granted. These sister agencies include the National Water Commission and the National Works Agency.
MEETING WITH RESIDENTS
Dr. Turner added that some of these agencies have not yet submitted their recommendations.
"Approvals are granted once all parties are satisfied with the respective concerns," she said.
A meeting to discuss the EIA will be held next Tuesday at the William Knibb Memorial High school with residents in and around Florence Hall in Trelawny, the place where the Greenfield Stadium will be built.
Meanwhile, as it relates to renovation work at Sabina Park, Bryan said everything is going as planned and expressed confidence that the facility will be ready by May next year, in time for the Indian tour.
"We are definitely on target with Sabina Park. We don't have any concerns there and will be using the Indian tour as a dry run," he said.
