World Cup final holds up stadium work

It is understood that workers downed tools to witness the Italian victory over France in Berlin.

This has however forced the organisers of the weekend’s Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships track and field competition to put in place contingency plans.

Ashwin Creed, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs yesterday however ruled out a shift in the venue for the regional athletics fiesta which gets underway on Friday and ends on Sunday.

“The ministry has spent $1 million plus for refurbishment work at the stadium to be completed by July 11 and it must be completed in time,” Creed said.

He said that the main re-laying of the Mondo track has been completed, but painting of the lanes and miscellaneous work were expected to be done on Sunday by an Italian contractor hired by Mondo.

However no work was evident on Sunday because of the World Cup final which involved the Italians.

And yesterday’s persistent rain hampered any painting at the venue.

Creed is adamant that work will be completed as planned, even if the workers have to work through the night to ensure that it is completed on time.

He said it will take a day and a half to complete the paint job at the stadium, and therefore if it is not finished by today, it must be done by Friday.

Meanwhile president of the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) Ken Doldron was positive and optimistic that the facility will be handed over by the contractor today.

“We have been given the assurance that the facility will be finished by today and we are awaiting that promise to be fulfilled,” Doldron said.

Doldron said however that his association has already begun making alternative arrangements for training for the teams, the first of which will arrive tonight.

He said athletes from Puerto Rico and Bermuda are expected and arrangements are being made for the athletes to utilise the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar and the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva for training.

He refused to comment on the use of another venue should the stadium not be completed in time.

Doldron said that decision will be made by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SCOTT)

He pointed out that if relocation is considered, it would not be to the Ato Boldon Stadium.

“Definitely the Dwight Yorke Stadium. Tobago is an option but it will obviously cost a lot of money if they are to use that venue,” Doldron said.

He said Government will have to think about accommodation and transportation for the athletes and officials in addition to other logistic matters if that decision is made.