It’s one of the most ambitious urban projects in the Caribbean in some time: the new Belize City Center Arena and Cultural Complex.

Now, Belize Infrastructure Limited is embarking on the construction phase of the project, which will be located in the heart of Belize City.

The $16.5 million USD project will include three practice basketball courts and one professional court, along with seating for 4,000 for games and 5,000 for indoor entertainment events like conventions, concerts and other sporting events like volleyball and boxing.

The facility was designed in accordance with FIBA standards, and will qualify for the world championship women’s U-21 ,U-19 world championship men and women’s events, according to the government of Belize.

Medina’s Construction Ltd has been awarded the construction contract on the project, which is slated to take two years.