Above: Grenada

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The reconstruction of Grenada’s football and athletics stadium has officially broken ground.

The stadium, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, is located next to the cricket stadium at Queens Park. (The cricket stadium was also destroyed by the storm, but was rebuilt before the Cricket World Cup in 2007).

The government of China is leading and funding the project, which is coming in at an estimated cost of around $25 million, according to recent government estimates.

China’s CCCC state-owned construction firm is undertaking the project.

“The breaking of ground for the refurbishment of the football and athletic stadium signals this government’s ongoing commitment to excellence in sports, ” said Sports Minister Emmalin Pierre. “”We believe there is a direct correlation between better sporting facilities and improvement in performances of our local athletes.”

When completed, the stadium will likely be renamed for Grenadian gold medalist Kirani James.

“We believe there are many diamonds in the rough, waiting to be discovered and polished,” Pierre said. “There are many sons and daughters, who given the opportunity, are ready to make this nation proud. This country that has given the world Kirani James and [MLS star] Shalrie Joseph, indeed has more to offer.”
This week, Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said he hoped the stadium could be finished early in 2015.