Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Richard Bryan (centre), executive director of Jamaica Cricket 2007, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for next year's ICC WI CWC 2007 World Cup, explains his organisation's decision to reject Ashtrom's proposal about its Sabina Park construction during yesterday's press conference. At left is Chris Smith, LOC Venue Development Manager and Paul Campbell of the Jamaica Cricket Association. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
A REQUEST by Ashtrom Building System Ltd - the contruction company contracted to develop Sabina Park - to have the two West Indies One-Day International games against India cancelled, has been rejected by Cricket Jamaica 2007 Ltd., the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ICC WI CWC 2007.
Jamaica is scheduled to host two One-Day International games between the West Indies and India on May 18th and the 20th at Sabina Park.
But currently, Sabina Park is undergoing extensive renovation and the developers, Ashtrom, are behind schedule by more than a month.
TEST
The LOC wants to use the matches against India to test certain aspects of its readiness in preparation for next year's Cricket World Cup and as a consequence, flatly rejected the proposal to pass up the games.
At a press conference at the LOC's office yesterday, Richard Bryan, Executive Director of Jamaica Cricket 2007, said Ashtrom, in a request to JC2007 on April 5, proposed that no official games be played at Sabina Park during 2006.
"Ashtrom had advised that the delivery promised on the north stand at Sabina Park for the May games would not be possible," said Bryan.
Ashtrom, which started construction in January 2005, had promised to have the general seating bowl of the north stand, the officials and players' facilities and the media positions ready for the Indian tour.
"The board expressed to Ashtrom its deep concerns regarding their performances on the project to date and further indicated the very low level of confidence," said Bryan.
COMMITMENT
He continued: "Based on a firm commitment by Ashtrom it was agreed that games of the India tour would be played with the clear commitment that this would not affect the completion of the project as is contracted."
Jamaica Cricket 2007 also rejected a number of proposals by Ashtrom as unacceptable and unsubstantiated, as the construction company struggles to complete the project by October 31, 2006.
When the LOC and Ashtrom met on April 5 to discuss the proper construction schedule, as it was outstanding for months, a new date of completion was set.
"JC2007 was presented with a schedule from Ashtrom at that meeting with a completion date of February 15, 2007 which was significantly outside of the contracted completion date of October 31, 2006," noted Bryan.
According to the executive director, a construction schedule was the most difficult thing to acquire from Ashtrom for months. At the meeting, Ashtrom turned up with a number of issues why they are behind schedule by three and a half months. The rationale put forward for the new timetable, in terms of the project delays, is what summed up to the 3.5 months. Ashtrom allocated a delay of 1.5 months to cement delays.
They attributed a month's delay to land acquisition issues which was attributed to the acquiring and commissioning of the properties and foundation design. Delays of a half a month due to the extent of the foundations that had to be laid on Melbourne Road itself and half a month to building permits.
COST
Ashtrom also presented a proposal for an additional cost of US$1.75m to accelerate the project timeline to February 2007, by increasing the labour material and human resources.
Ashtrom was advised that any failure on their path to deliver in accordance with agreed terms would constitute grounds for the immediate application for liquidated damages as is provided for in the contract. JC2007 would simultaneously pursue all options, including alternative construction to complete this project.
