by HAYDN GILL in Antigua

THE VIVIAN RICHARDS STADIUM, Antigua and Barbuda's showpiece for Cricket World Cup 2007, is starting to take shape.

As officials brace for an imminent inspection by venue assessors, there is a sense of optimism.

Like at almost every venue throughout the region, there have been challenges, but the progress report from World Cup Antigua's venue development co-ordinator Sheon Samuel is encouraging.

"We are confident that we will create a favourable impression on the ICC consultants and CWC representatives," Samuel said.

"We had a preview to the tour in January, and at that point in time I think they were very happy with our progress."

Named after Antigua's most celebrated cricket icon, the stadium is being constructed in partnership with the People's Republic of China.

Close to 200 Chinese workers are on site working around the clock in an effort to complete the stadium on time.

Located four miles south-east of the capital in the North Sound area, the stadium will have a permanent capacity of 10 000, a figure that will be doubled for the World Cup with the addition of temporary seating.

Construction has been broken down into three components, two of which are on schedule while the other is behind.

The two main stands – North and South – are progressing nicely; the latter up to its third level and the former at the first.

Field and pitch work is coming along in spite of earlier slippage, but there are other concerns.

"What has suffered most for us is the infrastructural development: the road network and utilities infrastructure," Samuel said.

"That is primarily due to a myriad of reasons which I'd rather not get into at this point, but suffice it to say we have overcome all of our hurdles and are definitely looking to push ahead with natural progress of the infrastructure."

Samuel, an engineer who is responsible for overseeing the construction of the stadium, estimated that work in one component was behind schedule by between six to eight weeks.

"We're trying to avert the steamship analogy. We're trying not to allow the slippage to be so far gone that we cannot bring it back," he said.

"We think we'll be able to bring it on schedule. Six to eight weeks is probably 'optimum', if I can use that phrase."

The price tag for the project is EC$140 million (about US$52 million), a figure that was arrived at after consultations with the major stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Works and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority.

Samuel was asked if it was the original estimate, against the background of concerns from St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves about escalating costs.

"We were very cognisant of the unknown variables at the time of our estimate," Samuel said.

"We were very careful in identifying all the costs. Government has a handle on what it takes to have Antigua hosting this international event.

"It's not something that crept up on us. It's something that we carefully looked at. We knew there were unknown variables, so we could not have come up with an all encompassing cost during the initial stages."

Antigua is one of a few countries where a new stadium is under construction.

Other venues, including Barbados, have opted for major renovations to existing grounds.

As was the case in Barbados, there was some debate in Antigua about whether to move in the direction of a new facility.

Like Kensington Oval, there is a rich history about the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), which has featured Brian Lara's world record Test scores of 375 and 400 and the fastest Test century by none other than Sir Viv.

"We were looking at major renovations to ARG, but that posted significant issues, which at the time government thought they would not have been able to deal with," Samuel said.

The challenges included the relocation of the nearby prison and issues relating to security.

"As soon as the initiative came on the table, it was pretty much shot down for the simple reason of costs," Samuel added.

"It would have too much of a financial burden on government."

* haydngill
@nationnews.com