This zinc fence shields construction work on the facility for next year's World Netball Championships at the National Arena. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer GROUND HAS still not officially broken for the new indoor court facility but work has finally started on the part of the National Arena where the World Netball Championships will be held next year.
A recent visit to the National Stadium Complex saw some workmen involved in a pipe-laying exercise. Some sections of the National Arena were cordoned off with zinc and a set of workmen carried out repairs inside the building.
While it was unclear what exactly was being done regarding the pipes, a workman on the site confirmed that the work related to the netball project.
With nine months left before the start of the championships, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will, over the next few weeks, embark on a plan to construct a pre-engineered building.
Using this method construction time will be no longer than six months, leaving enough time for players to test the facility.
Up to the time of the UDC's September 17 press conference, there was no approved plan/design and no funding for the project.
The UDC said it had sought funding from the Economic and Social Development Bank of Venezuela (BANDES) but that proved unfruitful.
The UDC's chairman, Vin Lawrence, had stated then, "we are looking at three other financing options and we feel reasonably confident that we will come up with an affordable plan, one that will meet the approval of the UDC's board.
We have a great track record and we intend to live up and surpass all previous achievements."
A release from the UDC on Wednesday stated that it was actively pursuing the project and since the press briefing had completed its research into the pre-engineered system.
"The Corporation has completed its research into the proposed use of the Butler pre-engineered system for the indoor court facility and is close to completing negotiations with regard to the financing and implementation strategy for the project," it stated.
The 11th World Netball Championships will be held in Jamaica from July 11-20 next year and at least 28 countries including world champions Australia, second-ranked New Zealand and England have already confirmed their participation.
