Construction and renovation work at Hasely Crawford Stadium will begin at the conclusion of the carnival season.
In a joint media statement yesterday, the Ministry of Sports and Community Development, the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Company and the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDECOTT) announced the decision following a meeting between the entities last Monday.
The meeting also discussed the plans for the organization of sports activities and cultural events in the sports facilities under the competence of the Ministry temporarily.
“Athletes, National Governing Bodies and members of the cultural fraternity continue to be accommodated at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex until the end of the 2023 Carnival,” the correspondence said.
The statement added that construction work is scheduled to take place at many sports facilities across the country and that work is underway at Dwight Yorke Stadium while the procurement process is well underway for Ato Boldon Stadium, “The scope of works is being confirmed for Manny Ramjohn and Larry Gomes Stadia, and Skinner Park is scheduled to be completed and delivered before the end of January,” the announcement added. “During this quarter of the fiscal year, Hasely Crawford Stadium will be given priority as the athletics component of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium later this year.”
Trinidad and Tobago will host the Games from August 4 to 11, with three sporting disciplines – athletics, swimming and cycling – to be held in Trinidad and another four – rugby, netball, beach volleyball and triathlon – to be held in Tobago.
“With renovation works scheduled to begin at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, MSCD, SportTT and UdecoTT continue to meet with stakeholders to finalize plans for hosting sporting and cultural activities until construction work intensifies at the end of February. Health, safety and security remain the highest priority to protect all facility users. “Stakeholders must agree to comply with all health and safety requirements and protocols, which may result in increased costs and logistical challenges for some organizers,” the release said.
Government agencies also intend to organize a meeting with sports and cultural stakeholders on January 17 to further finalize plans and discuss health, safety and security protocols for the use of facilities that will accommodate both sports activities and cultural events until at the end of this year. Carnival 2023.
“Subsequently, no activities and events would be organized at the Hasely Crawford Stadium to facilitate the construction works that must be completed in time to host the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games,” the statement said.
