tidings
Clint Chan Tack
The newly redeveloped Skinner Park, in San Fernando, will be able to accommodate 6,000 people when completed.
TT Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) made the comment in a statement on Saturday.
In 2018, Udecott was mandated by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs to redevelop the park. The company had to engage specialized design-build services for project execution.
In continuation of this mandate, Udeott said he had secured the services of the design-build contractor, Yorke Structures Ltd, to carry out these works.
Demolition of the existing Skinner park began in November 2019.
The newly redeveloped ballpark, which includes concession stands and retail space, will seat 6,000 people – 3,000 in the grandstand and 1,500 per bleacher.
The park will cater for cultural and sporting events for the people of San Fernando and the wider national community.
The initial scope of works included the construction and fit-out of a new 3,000-seat, three-storey stand, including a new chairman’s box, corporate boxes and conference center and gym; dismantling and reassembling the 3,000-seat uncovered stands at the east end of the park; renovation of the bicycle track; renovation of the playing field; installation of LED lighting towers; supply and installation of a digital scoreboard and general refurbishment and improvement of the facility and surrounding area.
Udecott said he received no mandate to increase or decrease the size of the original playing field at the park.
The company said it had agreed after consultation with stakeholders to make some changes to the scope of work at the park.
This involved rebuilding rather than renovating the existing cycle track in the park.
Udecott said: “After work began, it was noted that the existing track did not conform to the standard oval shape and was in an unacceptable state of disrepair.”
In line with the decisions made by the stakeholders, Udecott said a 333 meter track was built and can be used for both training and regular meetings.
Another change was a reorientation of the playing field to north-south to prevent sunlight impacting the field users.
Udecott said, “This arrangement is in accordance with standard practice for football pitches. The pitch’s existing orientation was east to west.”
The company added, “There was no adjustment to the size of the pitch during the reorientation process and, as such, the pitch continues to meet FIFA’s minimum requirement of 90 meters by 45 metres.”
