Skinner Park upgrade on track for May 2021

COVID19 has pushed back the date of completion of the upgraded Skinner Park from February to May 2021.

Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) senior project manager Terrence Beepath said rain has also delayed the construction but said San Fernandians would be proud of the facility when it is completed.

The original price tag of $126 million is expected to see the commercialisation of the park. which has been a breeding ground for sportsmen and women, including Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford.

The contract was awarded to Yorke Structures at a cost of some $200 million to construct a facility that meets international standards. Construction began last October to transform the park.

Specifications include upgrading the cycling track, a pavilion with 6,000 seats, redesigned mayor’s box, corporate boxes, concessionaire stands, indoor multi-purpose courts, changing rooms and an outdoor basketball court with its own bleachers.

Included in the redesign iare new parking facilities and enhancing the secondary playing field near the park

Project manager Matthew Carr said the project is about 35-7 per cent complete.

“The north bleachers and the south bleachers are about 60 per cent complete. We are currently starting priming on the block works and hand railings."

That should be completed by the first week in October.

He said the main pavilion is also about 30 per cent complete.

“We started steel erection last week and we are hoping within the next two weeks we should be totally out of the foundation and progressing with the remainder of the steelwork.”

Carr said field drainage is also on target and about 50 per cent complete, while the pump room, pump stand and electrical room are finished.

“We are about to start the garbage disposal work as well and the cycling track work should start within the next month.”

Beepath said the first phase of the project has seen about 15 people employed as it dealt with steelwork, which was done in a fabrication shop and installed.

“Now that we have block work and cement work, to do we are going to increase the labour to about 30.”

San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello said a site visit has been scheduled for some time this week.

He said the first site visit proposed was quashed because of the rain.