Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
Indian star batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, plays a square cut on his way to making 97 during a Super Six match against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa.
THE STADIUM to be constructed on the Greenfield site in Trelawny will be transferred into the hands of business interests to sustain its marketability after the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup, for which it will be built.
Ever since Prime Minister P.J. Patterson announced the construction of the facility for western Jamaica, there has been much debate about its future, with many voicing fears that it might not be a profitable venture, that could become a 'white elephant'.
However, the Prime Minister announced measures to counter such thoughts at an official ground-breaking ceremony for the stadium on Friday.
He said: "A company has already been incorporated to assume ownership of the stadium after the World Cup is over.
"The Government will soon be inviting proposals for investment, development and management services required for the multi-purpose facility and adjoining site. This adjoining site consists of 79 acres of vacant land adjacent to the facility."
Highlighting 'spring training' and the snowy climates in other countries, Patterson noted that the stadium could be used for such purposes.
He also mentioned other creative ways in which the place could be used to make money, saying:
"I see the complex as one which could cater to a range of interests and activities, not only in the field of sports, but entertainment such as musical concerts, gospel festivals, church conventions and occasions which need a capacity this size."
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
The stadium will be built with a 25,000-seating capacity, 10,000 of which are to remain permanent structures and the rest temporary fittings. The entire area on which the stadium will be built has already been cleared and it is expected to be completed in one year's time, November next year.
A Chinese company, COMPLANT, are the developers of what Patterson called a 'state-of-the-art facility', which will be constructed at a cost of US$30 million.
There is a direct connection between the developers and where the Government got its funding for the project - the Chinese Government. The terms dictate that the money be repaid over a 20-year period. The interest rate is two per cent per annum.
FUTURE OF STADIUM
The Prime Minister also said Cabinet has supported its marketing plan to pin the success of the stadium at the Greenfield site after the next cricket world championship to a skilled entrepreneur.
"The Cabinet gave its approval on Monday to issue the request for a proposal that has been prepared to interested bidders with the relevant professional, investment, development and management expertise."
The stadium in Trelawny, one of two venues for Jamaica which will host the West Indies home team, will facilitate the opening ceremony and four warm-up matches for the ICC WI 2007 Cricket World Cup. The opening ceremony takes place on Sunday, March 11, 2007, and will be preceded by warm-up matches between hosts West Indies and India on March 5 and 7.
Pakistan, New Zealand and Ireland are the other teams in the West Indies' group.
