TT$8 Million Face-lift for QPO

The Queen's Park Oval will be given an estimated TT $8 million face-lift as the Queen's Park Cricket Club gets ready to bid for the big games in the 2007 World Cup competition.

The QPCC management has started redevelopment work of the Carib Stand, which, it is hoped, will be completed in time for the Australian tour of the Caribbean next year. Three stands, the Pavilion, the Geddes Grant Stand, and the Carib Stand will be the starting point for TT$8 million upgrading that will see the Queen?s Park Oval in line with the premier facilities of the world.

Plans have been in place, but on hold for some time, while sponsorship was being negotiated for the refurbishing and improvement of the facility.

The Carib Stand now entertains about 2,000 spectators. The numbers will not be lessened, but the quality of accommodation will be improved and there will be six hospitality boxes at the top of the stand.

The Geddes Grant Stand will also be improved, as the aim is to have the ground all seating in approximately 18 months. The entire ground will be improved in time for the World Cup.

Reconfiguration of the pavilion so that there will be separation of the dressing rooms of the opposing teams and lunch and tea facility in the dressing rooms are innovations that are expected to be finished in time for the Australian tour in 2003. The pavilion will probably go one floor up so that sightscreens could be improved without inconvenience to any of the spectators.

The thorny point of women?s membership is also being addressed. Willie Rodriguez, former West Indies Test allrounder and president of the club, said there was discussion of the issue.

SOURCE: Trinidad Guardian.