CATEGORY:SPORTS (CRICKET)
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada Correspondent
Saturday December 23,2006


ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada: Local Cricket Organizers say that they are moving to make the newly reconstructed National Stadium at the Queen’s Park in St George’s a “Beacon of world cricket. Final touches are being put on the facility for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, which officials say will be thoroughly beautified. The International Cricket Council rates the newly constructed stadium among best in the world and local officials say that they are working diligently to enhance the quality.

With the completion of the construction by the Chinese, work has started to beautify and enhance the area around the stadium. A Ring-road is being constructed from the Western main road, running close to GRENLEC, Gravel and Concrete, the Wesley College Playing Field, onto the Hump Bride. “We are concentrating on improving the drains and are working to improving the aesthetics. We have one of the best facilities in the world and are working to keep it that way”, Stadium Manager Alan Robinson said at a recent press conference in St George’s.

He noted that the design to beautify the perimeter of the National Stadium include several green areas, gardens, plants, lawns and trees. “We do not want it to look like a concrete jungle.” Robinson said that the use of concrete will be very limited. “We will be going with paving blocks, which will allow water to soak through the earth. Some areas where we cannot help it we will use decorative concrete with patterns and stamps to identify driveways and walkways.

The World Cup Official said that the national flower (Bougainvillea) will be prominently displayed in and around the facility and that the St John’s River, running close to the National Stadium will also be enhanced to add colour and attraction to the area. “We will be having large trees attractively displayed along the river’s edge – trees that will provide shade and spread the roots to hold the bank of the river firmly together.

“We are looking at Palms and Coconut nut trees and we are thinking about using the river as a water feature to help control the flow and add to the Aesthetics”, Robinson said. He indicated that efforts are being made to source the special trees and that planting and beautification in and around the arena will begin shortly. The newly constructed stadium, built by the Government and people of the Republic of China (PRC) at the cost US$40 million, will be officially handed over to local authorities, before the Christmas Holidays. The Chinese were expected to carry out an inspection of the facility during the week.