While major construction and infrastructural work on stadia in all nine Host Venues is for the most part complete, a number of the Caribbean nations staging ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 are being urged to focus on…
While major construction and infrastructural work on stadia in all nine Host Venues is for the most part complete, a number of the Caribbean nations staging ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 are being urged to focus on finishing the fine details.
Stating that this will allow the requisite testing to be undertaken prior to the tournament, ICC CWC 2007 Venue Development Director, Donald Lockerbie, has listed a variety of issues – such as the readiness of practice pitches, external works and electricity supply – which will require attention and fine-tuning in the final countdown to the Event.
Reporting on the recent ICC Venue Tour, he disclosed the overall assessment is that the Caribbean “will be ready on time” to deliver the tournament. However, he stressed that there can be no “easing up” as there is still work to be done.
“We are very pleased with the commitment shown by the Host Venues and their LOCs (Local Organising Committees) and we want them to carry through to the finish now. I have had to remind everyone that contractually all the stadiums were supposed to be completed by December 31 (2006), that means electricity turned on, air-conditioning working, broadband internet working, sewer systems working – and we’re not there yet,” he said candidly.
“We are very close and we are confident that all venues will be finished to world-class standard in the necessary time frame but we can’t ease up at the tape – and I’ve seen signs that this could happen.”
Lockerbie noted that only St. Kitts & Nevis “has all the pieces in place” while the lone concern in Saint Lucia is the practice venue at Mindoo Phillip Park.
In the coming weeks, the CWC official will be keeping an eye on two areas of construction specifically – the roof of the 3Ws Stand at Kensington Oval in Barbados and the Trini Posse Stand at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad & Tobago.
Regarding the sophisticated roof design at Kensington, he said: “It is now well underway but it is a very complicated roof and therefore it will not be done until early March but the rest of that stadium will be finished this month.”
As for the Trini Posse Stand, he noted, that it’s “the stand that’s the most behind for the Cricket World Cup”.
“Queen’s Park Oval has just over three weeks to go before it needs to be ready and tested for the tournament, unlike Kensington which has an extra month before its first match. We need Trinidad to step up to the plate with every resource in spite of Carnival season,” he said, adding that Queen’s Park Cricket Club pavilion also has significant work to be done.
Lockerbie will be checking the progress of external works and the removal of construction debris in a number of Host Venues as well. Stadia must be totally finished and outfitted as soon as possible, he stressed, because “we need to test the facilities and ensure everything is as it should be”.
Regarding the reason for this Venue Tour, he explained that “the ICC wanted to make sure that all facilities for players as well as team and match officials are in order, particularly the pitch and field, the dressing rooms and the scorer’s room”. In addition, the Venue Development team continued its monitoring of construction and the overlay programme.
“There were seven of us and we also had Tim May of FICA (Federation of International Cricket Associations) so he could get a feel for how the players would be treated. His presence gave us an opportunity to judge whether we are really meeting international standards which was a good thing for us to be able to do,” elaborated the Venue Development Director.
Lockerbie said the Local Organising Committees (LOCs) felt the assessments were fair and they are fully aware of the deadlines that need to be met.
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