Good news has come the way of athletes and fans in this country as the three mega projects involving the construction of an Aquatic Centre, Cycling Centre and Tennis Centre currently underway in Couva and Tacarigua, are progressing well according to officials of the Sports Company of T&T (Sportt). Officials of Sportt, as well as from the ministry of finance recently toured the facilities and gave it the thumbs up. The touring party included senior officials of the Ministries of Sport, Planning & Sustainable Development and Finance & the Economy who got a first-hand look at how the multimillion dollar investments were being managed. Officials of the Ministry of Finance asked questions and were able to understand and translate the figures and reports into a relatable picture of work being undertaken.
According to Sportt consultant for the nationals Wilfred Fullerton: “The site visit was organised by us and deliberately so. We are keen to engage our stakeholders in the Ministries and provide as much information as we can about how these major projects are progressing. Allowing them to see the foundation for the magnificent structures helps them to concretise how it will impact on the citizens." Scheduled for completion by the end of 2014, the tennis centre in Tacarigua is reported to be ahead of time and within budget. The facility will feature indoor and outdoor courts as well as office space and other amenities for practice and tournaments. The cycling and aquatic centres in Couva, which were slightly delayed owing to change of site and levelling issues, is now proceeding apace and is expected to be complete by the end of 2015. These two facilities will be side by side, creating a hub of sport and recreational activity.
Further to its nationwide community initiative, through which individuals and groups benefit from enhanced recreation spaces, the Sportt will open two grounds in the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Corporation over the next two weeks. Both grounds have been upgraded to include new football/cricket outfields, 150-seater pavilions, cricket practice nets, jogging tracks and multipurpose hard courts. Meanwhile, Anil Roberts, Minister of Sport will be at the Phoenix Park Recreation Ground, Couva, today from 3 pm to handover the upgraded facility to the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation. The ground has been upgraded by the Sportt as part of its nationwide initiative to improve community level recreation facilities. Phoenix Park Recreation Ground now includes of a new football/cricket outfield, 150-seat pavilion with change rooms, cricket practice nets, walking/jogging track and multipurpose hard court. Minister Roberts will tour the completed works, perform a symbolic handing over to the Corporation, then participate in a football match between a Sports Company XI and a local team. Member of Parliament for Couva South, the Honourable Rudranath Indarsingh, is also expected to attend.