Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

The Keith Mitchell Government has signed a contract with the Government of China for the re-building of the National Sports Stadium at Queen’s Park.

The agreement was signed last Thursday by Minister of Works, Claris Modeste-Curwen and Chinese Ambassador Qian Hongshan. The Chinese envoy gave assurances that they can finish the stadium in time for the 2007 ICC World Cup of cricket to be played in the Caribbean, as long as Grenada does its part in the re-building.

He did not elaborate. However, well-placed sources told this newspaper that as part of the arrangement, Grenada is responsible for executing certain infrastructural work in and around the stadium project.

Ambassador Qian admitted that the re-building of the sporting facility will be a challenge because there is not a lot of time left to complete it. He indicated that the Chinese crew earmarked for the project workers will work hard, even day and night in order to complete the stadium for the tournament.

The Ambassador also made brief remarks about the relationship existing between Grenada and China, saying that it was going smoothly. Minister of Sports, Adrian “Spaceman” Mitchell who also spke at the ceremony pointed out that 70 Chinese workers will be in Grenada from this week to start to work on the project.

Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Company Limited, was named as the Chinese company that was contracted for re-building the stadium. Details are not available on those local contractors who will be given work on the stadium project.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Deputy General Engineer Jim Mui Kang of China who indicated that, “we will try our best to employ local people”. Works Minister Modeste-Curwen said that she had confidence in the word of the Chinese Government that they would finish the project in time for the World Cup.

She pointed out that the re-construction of the new sporting facility will reap many benefits for the Spice Isle and that the state-of-the art stadium will be a blessing for Grenada.

Grenada lost its stadium a year ago when Hurricane Ivan slammed into the island. The stadium was also said to be uninsured. Minister Modeste-Curwen also touched on the debris still lying around the stadium.

Although the government had promised that all the debris left by Hurricane Ivan a year ago, will be clear by now, the Minister indicated that it will be now be removed in two weeks.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 2007 World Cup, Henry Joseph stated that the signing of the contract agreement between the two countries marks the end of any misgivings by Grenadians that the stadium would not ready for the games in 2007.

Joseph was confident that when the stadium is completed, “it will be a building that we will all be proud of.” Drawings of what the National Stadium will look like upon completion was on display at the signing.