PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A lobby group in Trinidad and Tobago is making another appeal for the completion of the controversial Brian Lara Stadium.
The Union Park Committee, headed by David Mowlah Baksh wants the government to complete the facility which so far has been estimated to cost more than $1 billon (US$157 million).
The Union Park Committee is also getting the support of the Trinidad and TobagoCricket Board (TTCB) to have the stadium completed and strongly feels that the name of one of TT’s and the West Indies’ greatest cricketing heroes is being tarnished by the continuing controversy clouding the project.
“We always lobbied for an international venue against the background of Lara’s achievements and we are always hoping to engage the cricket board and are happy that they have added their voice for the completion of the facility,” said Mowlah-Baksh.
The stadium, which was originally scheduled to open to host matches in the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup which was hosted in the region, was budgted to cost about $750 million.
However the planned state of the art training centre and international class venue named after arguably the greatest batsman to have played the game has been mired in controversy with no date yet for its opening, according to a recent report.
It has been reported that the Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Dr Roodilal Moonilal said that a further $185 million would be required to have the stadium ready.