With an expected completion deadline of October 15, the $20.35 million squash courts will be the third component of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Racquet Centre currently under construction at its Camp Street and Thomas Lands location, with the bleachers and practice courts being the first two components that were completed.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport, Permanent Secretary attached to the ministry, Alfred King, said that from his understanding the construction company responsible for the production of the squash courts, Romell Jagroop’s General Construction Services, is expected to complete the courts by the given date.
During a visit to the site yesterday this newspaper saw evident progress towards the completion of the two courts. However, the surrounding area was in a physical state in need of lengthy work.
Speaking with a workman at the site, who said that he was a Project Engineer attached to the construction company, Stabroek Sport was told that most of the major work on the structure had already been completed, and the works should be completed by September month-end.
The engineer, Chris Persaud, said that the only major impediment was the installation of the rubber floors, which has to be shipped to Guyana from overseas, along with the glass for the back wall of the courts. Persaud estimated that if the floor material was shipped in a timely manner the courts may be completed before month-end.
“I would say about 90% of the construction work has been completed. The other 10% would be for the finishes, like the painting, electrical and for putting in the fixtures like the door.”
According to Persaud, in addition to the courts the structure is expected to include sanitary facilities and a small spectators pavilion for the officials, and all of this, he estimated, can be completed within the specified time.
Meanwhile reported as one of the first of the factors to be tackled, the resurfacing of the tennis courts has proved to be the current impediment in the completion of phase one of the ministry’s works on the facility.
King yesterday said that aspect of the project was under the Ministry of Public Works.
“The only thing right now is the resurfacing and the fine tuning of the tennis court,” King said.
It was in December last year that the contracts for the construction of the various sections of the facility were awarded to three construction companies, including N&R Engineering and Contracting Establishment which was awarded the $4.2 million works to be done on the practice and tennis courts at the facility.
And the squash courts production was given to Romell Jagroop’s General Construction Services, while the $4.19M construction works of the already completed bleachers was under Fyffe Building and Contracting Services, which is the same company currently handling the erection of the 50m Olympic-size pool in Liliendaal, as well as the current rehabilitation works at the MCYS Colgrain Swimming Pool.
According to reports, following the signing the construction companies were expected to begin works on their respective areas shortly after.
At the meeting the minister is said to have cited a six-month duration period for the completion of the squash courts, while components such as the bleachers and tennis court were expected to take 2 – 3 months.
According to King, the bleachers and practice courts were both completed earlier this year, with the three construction companies beginning their works at the site in January this year.
King further noted that from his understanding works at the site were going according to plan, and subsequent to the completion of the construction works the ministry will be looking into having the surrounding area landscaped to an aesthetic level.
Other amenities expected to be erected eventually at the facility include a resource centre, badminton courts, and a parking lot.
However at the time of the signing of the contracts Minister Dr. Frank Anthony noted that the construction of these facilities would be gradual depending on funds available.
