'Grenada Must Meet WC Deadline'

Thu, Sep 30, '04

 

Grenada

Hurricane-ravaged Grenada will have to meet the venue preparation deadlines set by the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 or there is a chance the six quarter final matches could be shifted to a back-up venue.

"While we are aware of the severe challenges facing Grenada, CWC has to deliver its obligations to its stakeholders and all venues will ultimately have to make the agreed deadlines," said Chris Dehring, managing director of CWC 2007.

It is not known if Grenada's World Cup officials were seeking an extension to the deadlines but Dehring made it clear that the region must demonstrate that it can deal with natural disasters in the run-up to the most prestigious cricket tournament on the ICC calendar.

"While we hope that none will devastate any country as Ivan did to Grenada, we will have contingencies for this," Dehring said, making it clear that back-up venues will be here to fill any possible void.

Earlier this month, Hurricane Ivan ripped through Grenada and caused severe damage to the National Stadium Complex that houses the New Queen's Park cricket facility. (see photo).

The storm toppled the roofing for the covered stands in the Cricket Stadium and fittings that made up the double-decker stands lay furrowed on the infield. The electronic scoreboard was destroyed and the manual scoreboard at the Cricket Stadium was also demolished by the powerful winds.

Grenada's government officials have publicly said the stadium will be repaired in time to host the World Cup games and at a venue assessment summit in St Kitts this week, two representatives -- Walter St John and Kenny Hobson -- attended and participated in the deliberations.

"The decision to proceed rests with the Grenada Government and LOC but it would certainly be a tremendous incentive to restore infrastructure rapidly and a great boost to the economy and spirit of the Grenadian people to host in 2007," Dehring said, adding that CWC 2007 would help with the restoration process.

Dehring's Venue Development Director, Don Lockerbie said that venues are being required to ensure that their facilities meet specific standards in terms of hurricane resistance and to have construction schedules with appropriate timeline contingencies. There are also disaster response plans that will be integrated into the operations of each venue.