ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada’s Government has denied claims it has been dithering over reconstruction plans for the national track and field stadium, significantly damaged when the dangerous Hurricane Ivan ripped through the island six years ago.
Sports Minister Patrick Simmons said the Chinese government had agreed in principal to rebuild the stadium but would not start work unless a major housing project it had embarked on here was first completed.
He was hitting back at former prime minister Dr. Keith Mitchell who said recently that the current Tillman Thomas administration had done nothing to follow through on a decision by Beijing to rebuild the stadium.
“We at the Ministry of Sports have engaged the Chinese officials in Grenada at least four times to find out what is happening with the track and field component of the national stadium,” Simmons explained.
“To date what we have in our possession from the Chinese embassy is a diplomatic note that specifically states that it is the policy of the Chinese government that there would not proceed with two major projects in a territory at the same time.”
Beijing has promised to construct two major housing projects after hundreds were left homeless when Hurricane Ivan destroyed or damaged most of the houses on the island.
Scores of Chinese workers arrived on the island last month to start work.
“We will have to wait until the housing project comes to a completion before they proceed with the national stadium so we have that document in our possession,” Simmons said.
“We have a document in our position showing that the project was negotiated for under the former administration. They claim the final decision for doing the project itself was not agreed upon but in principle they would have proceeded to do so but the housing project has become a priority.”
The track and field stadium is currently being used to host mainly track and field and local and international friendly football matches.
Last year an international football friendly between Panama and Grenada scheduled for the track and field stadium was called off hours before kick-off after the Panamanians protested the condition of the ground.
A few feet away from the damaged track and field stadium is the state-of-the-art cricket stadium built by China as part of a deal in which Grenada severed ties with Taiwan in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.