Cricket-News.Org

Kingston, Jamaica – The Jamaica’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has confirmed that work on Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium is progressing extremely well.

The LOC’s Venue Development Manager, Christopher Smith, is upbeat following the commencement of installation of the first shipment of seats and the ongoing roofing at the stadium structures.

“The first shipment came into the island at the end of June and seating units are being installed in the north stand. The seats are comfortable ‘bucket seats’ and the combination of colours and their arrangements will be pleasing to the eyes. I will tell you that after the installation is complete, if you look down from an aircraft you will see the Jamaican flag in various sections of the seating bowl – simply beautiful! Another shipment is due to arrive later this month. The seating capacity for the north and south stands is approximately ten thousand,” said Smith.

“As it relates to roofing we are well advanced. Our contractors are working around the clock to ensure that this is completed on schedule at the end of July. I can confirm that all our contractors and sub-contractors are working assiduously to deliver the project components on time.”

Work on the world-class facility, which will be able to host many mega-events, is scheduled to be completed in November 2006.

Oneil Cruickshank, Cricket Operations Manager at the Jamaica LOC, added that maintenance work on the pitch and outfield is going well also.

“We have a team of dedicated groundsmen and field staff who take great pride and joy in their work. They see their work as their contribution to the region’s hosting of this major sporting event,” he stated.

Cruickshank said that the ICC Pitch and Field Inspectors “are very pleased with the progress and have given good ratings to the field and pitch” at Trelawny.

“We are awaiting the arrival of two pieces of equipment to enhance the work that is presently taking place. By early October, we want to start playing some cricket there.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is scheduled to start at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on March 5, 2007, with a series of Warm-up matches. This will be followed by the Opening Ceremony on March 11, 2007.