1.25 Billion for the Development of Sport and Recreational Facilities

The development of sport and recreational facilities islandwide has been boosted with a provision of $1.25 billion in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives.
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) aims to expand and develop cultural and sport facilities under the programme. It is anticipated that this will enhance the blossoming of local creative talents; promote a cultural fraternity and stimulate and deepen cultural exchanges in the Caribbean; and design training programmes and develop human resources.
Since August 1993 and up to the end of the 2009/10 fiscal year, work on the project has seen a wide range of activities being executed. These include: construction of a perimeter fence around Independence Park, to secure the facility; construction of a car park and the erection of lights and installation of drains; construction of seating, and toilet/changing room facilities, 95 per cent of which is complete; relocation of the National Stadium Police Station to the north eastern section of the adjacent Arthur Wint Drive; completion of the football field to international standard; and completion of the Stadium East seating and changing room facilities.
Works were also executed on a number of other facilities islandwide during the period. These include: completion of the installation of spectator seating and fencing at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education, St. Catherine; completion of the Montego Bay Civic Centre and external works; completion of Phase I of the Multi-media library and the completion of designs and contract documents for Phase II; completion of Phase I of restoration works on the eastern section of the Port Maria Court House, St. Mary;
97 per cent completion of contract implementation for the execution of work on the bleachers and grand stand, and the main car park at the Montego Bay Sports Complex; and the completion of land acquisition, building approval, contract tendering, and an engineering consultancy contract for the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre.
Anticipated targets for these sub-project works, which have been extended for a third time to December 2010, include: completion of the football field and electrical connections/installations at G.C. Foster College; completion of the amphitheatre and external works on Phase II of the Port Maria Court House; implementation of a contract for Phase 3B works at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, inclusive of the installation of external lighting, a multi-purpose court and club house; and completion of civil works implementation for handing over of the Simon Bolivar Centre.
The project is being jointly funded by the Government and the Bank of Economic and Social Development of Venezuela.