Grenada Gets Conditional WC Go-Ahead

Fri, Oct 8, '04

Hurricane-ravaged Grenada has received a conditional "Notice to Proceed" with preparations for hosting World Cup 2007 matches, pending submission of further damage assessments and the plan adjustments.

The go-ahead comes just a week after World Cup 2007 CEO Chris Dehring made it clear that Grenada must meet deadlines set by ICC or see its six quarter final matches shifted to a back-up venue. All eight venues selected -- Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Trinidad & Tobago -- received the stamp of approval.

Dehring said Grenada had met all of the requirements for the "Notice to Proceed" based on the pre-Hurricane Ivan situation and have shown strong commitment to restoration within the required time frame.

After rejecting not accepting the original stadium drawings submitted by Guyana, Dehring's outfit gave the South American country the required approval to proceed with the construction of a new stadium.

Guyana's stadium design had to be modified by Trinidad architect Claude Guillaume, who designed St Lucia's highly rated Beausejour facility.