Lara is happy with his Tarouba stadium

Lara is happy with his Tarouba stadium
...he is involved in its completion, says Sports Minister
Published on Feb 10, 2017, 8:46 am AST
By Ria Taitt Multimedia Desk


Some of the chairs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba that have since been replaced. Photo: DEXTER PHILIP


Brian Lara is happy with the work being done on the Brian Lara Tarouba Stadium.

The cricketing legend had once stated that he regretted having his name attached to the Stadium which had been mired previously in controversy and plagued by delays and cost overturns under the Manning administration.

UDeCOTT's original management of the project had been scrutinised and criticised by the Uff Commission of Enquiry in 2009-2010.

The project was untouched during the five years of the People's Partnership, but Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, noting that hundreds of millions had already been spent on it, committed his Government to completing the project.

Yesterday speaking at yesterday's post Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, Smith gave an update on the project which began in 2006.

“You may be seeing soon, in the next few weeks Brian himself and a couple of high schools and UWI just testing the pitch,” he said.

“Work is continuing...they are working on the pitch now,.. Mr Lara has been very very happy with the work so far and we have involved him in the whole process for the first time...Because I don't think there is anybody in the region and probably the world, who has played in the best facilities across the globe so he is bringing new ideas because the design dated back a few years”.

The Minister said Government was also talking to Lara about the opening of the Stadium as well. “He has some ideas for the opening and a date that we can have the opening where him could have certain persons, international icons, who can come,” he said.

“We in the Government are excited along with the public at having for the first time a world class cricket facility,” Smith said.

I wonder what the final price will be... ::confused::

Lara to feature at Tarouba Stadium opening
CLINT CHAN TACK Friday, February 10 2017

FORMER West Indies captain Brian Lara and other international cricketers could grace the opening of the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. Sports Minister Daryl Smith dropped this hint when he spoke at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s yesterday.

Smith reiterated the Government’s and his personal commitment to Trinidad and Tobago’s elite athletes and announced the staging of two major sporting events in the twin-island republic later this year.

Smith said work on the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba is continuing apace and Lara has been, “very, very happy with the work so far.” As someone who has played in some of the world’s greatest cricket arenas, Smith said Lara has been “bringing new ideas” for the Stadium which was conceptualised over a decade ago.

He said there is an opening date for the Stadium and Lara is interested in having certain persons, including his “international icons from around the world” attending the opening. Smith said this would have to be approved by Cabinet.

Indicating that the outfield at the Stadium is “beautiful” and work is taking place on the pitch, Smith said in the coming weeks, “Brian and a couple other high schools and UWI” will be testing the pitch. He added everyone is excited that TT will soon have “a world class cricket facility.” Indicating the Elite Athlete Programme is a key part of the National Sporting Policy which is being fleshed out, Smith said the Ministry recently issued a statement in which it spoke about $24 million being allocated to this programme.

“NAAA (National Association of Athletics Administrations of TT) athletes got over 70 percent of that money,” he stated. Smith said he has an open door policy and works closely with all athletes.

He reiterated that he and the Government are, “all about the athletes first and the young people of TT.” He added, “What we have been doing is tightening up as regards to the loopholes that occurred in the last four five years.” Smith announced that on March 26, the TT Hockey Federation will host the International Hockey Federation World League Round Two. He said this tournament will bring between 500 and 700 athletes and fans to this country. Smith listed Chile, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, USA and Barbados as some of the countries that will be competing alongside hosts TT.

He said the astro turf at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua will be upgraded for the tournament. Smith also said the existing turf, which has about two years life left in it, will be given to the Petrotrin Sports Club in Pointe-a-Pierre. Smith announced that in June and July, this country will host the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships (CCCAN) for the first time.

Indicating this tournament will involve approximately 1,000 athletes, Smith said for the first time there will be swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming taking place in one competition in TT.