Residents of Reform Village, Gasparillo, who live a short distance away from the controversial Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, say the $90 million being spent on refurbishment of this facility should not be a priority for the Government.
The refurbishment, set to begin next month, is expected to cost taxpayers $90 million.
The residents feel that the $90 million the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) plans to inject into the stadium to become operational could be put to better use.
They believe that opening the Couva Children’s Hospital is far more important as the country faces a recession.
The stadium was initially set to cost $500 million, but due to cost overruns it ballooned to $900 million.
With a seating capacity of 17,000, the stadium was to be completed before the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.
“However, the project was plagued by delays, exceeded its budget, and has been left to deteriorate since then.
Harry Jeeta, who lives a few metres from the stadium at Reform Road, believes the Government has its priorities all mixed up.
“I think the priority for the population is better healthcare. Why they can’t open the Couva Children’s Hospital which has now become an eyesore?
“Everyday you hear people complaining of a shortage of bed and equipment at public hospitals.
“This would certainly alleviate some of the problems in the health care system.”
Shuram Boodram said he could not understand how a stadium which was originally projected to cost $500 million doubled in expenditure.
“Why wasn’t there proper accountability and oversight in the first place? I don’t think it makes sense resuming work at the stadium. What benefits will this bring the country?
“When they open it people may not even have money to buy a ticket to see a game because everyday someone is being sent home from their job.
“Is better Government open the Couva Children’s Hospital instead.”
Boodram said the stadium was in a state of disrepair and the Government might need in excess of $90 million to fix it.
Seamstress Zorina Ali does not see the stadium as a necessity.
She thinks the Government should pump more money into public hospitals, equipment, and better health care services.
“What they are doing is crap. What people need is not sporting facilities.
“They need proper service when they go to the hospitals. Many times people spend hours waiting to be attended to which only heightens their frustration.”
Paul Street resident Donald Bhalack shared a different view.
“I am a cricket fan and I would like to see the stadium operational.
“Although taxpayers spent close to $1 billion on the sporting ground, I think Government should finish it.
“Whenever there is a One-Day International game cricket lovers have to travel all the way from South to the Queen’s Park Savannah to be part of the action.”
Meanwhile, Reform Community Development Council trustee Florence Nemai said no one knew if the contractors who would work on the stadium would source labour in or outside of their community.
“People around here are asking if jobs will be available but no one has said anything. Everything is being kept in the dark.”
Nemai said she was all for better health care and the doors of the Children’s Hospital being opened.
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Yesterday, chairman of Udecott Noel Garcia said he hoped that the small contractors who were retained to undertake work on the stadium would utilise labour and resources from the Tarouba area.