– says Dr. Frank Anthony
By Tiadi Blair
The tennis courts on Woolford Avenue scheduled to be completed at least one month ago are still not ready owing to problems among contractors.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony made this disclosure when contacted by Stabroek Sports for a comment on the issue.
Dr. Anthony said that the construction workers under the Ministry of Public Works had what he referred to as a few ‘problems’ in completing the two tennis courts.
It was also discovered that the area adjacent to the courts was unsuitable as the soil was not compact enough to turn the spot into a training area.
“The building is not in good shape so it will be removed and demolished and they will put in two new squash courts. The tenders for it have been out and September 22nd is the closing date for tenders. An evaluation team will be set up two weeks after that and construction will start soon after that,” Dr. Anthony told this newspaper.
So far the area has a tarmac but additional work is required around the area surrounding the courts.
Dr. Anthony added that a see-through squash court will be considered and the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) was looking towards funding such a project with the ministry.
However, when this project is completed, the courts will be the ministry’s property and while it will be in an accessible area they will not be free for everyone to use, he said.
According to Dr. Anthony, in order to use the facility one would have to belong to an association that will pay a small fee for use of the courts.
“If any association wishes to use the facility permission has to be sought from us by booking the time. In fact, we would like to have a special coach assigned to it but priority will be given to persons who are part of a club,” the minister said.
He added that his main aim was to ensure that the courts were completed before starting on the rehabilitation process of the building. He is currently liaising with the Ministry of Public Works to complete the task.
