Ground Breaking ceremony officially held for Ambergris Stadium
The long awaited groundbreaking ceremony of the Ambergris Stadium Renovation Project took place in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Friday, September 18th. The event marks the official commencement for the construction of a new sporting facility which will replace the old one. Estimated to cost around 2.3 million dollars, the project is being funded by the Government of Belize in its commitment with youth and sports. Upon completion, this new stadium will meet the needs of the sporting population on the island and will be equipped with a FIFA international standard pitch in order to host international games. The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months at the most. The project is being coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), and executed by AM Construction Company from the Orange Walk District.
However, the magnitude of the project left a few questions in the air, such as its design and if it can be accomplished. "Every project needs to start with a design and as we go along amendments are done. But I think it is realistic and it will be accomplished and it is a project that I think the sporting community will push for so that it is completed, and the council will be stay behind it to guarantee its completion as well," said Guerrero. The project was designed by a private architect firm without any involvement of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC).
Guerrero also addressed concerns that a local island contractor is not building the facility. "I don't think there is one contractor on the island that has the type of equipment needed to do this project. The mainland companies are bigger than the ones on the island, and I am not saying that the companies on the island cannot do the job, but they are not equipped to do this type of building. On the other hand, we also have other projects coming up which are part of the funds for this project. From the five million dollars, not only will the Ambergris Stadium be built, but we are looking to construct an enclosed prefab convention centre which will host events such as, volleyball, basketball and many other activities. So whatever funds are left over we need to find a way to use them in projects that will benefit the island," said Guerrero. He reiterated that the SPTC will work along with BIL towards the satisfactory completion of the project.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
$5Mil Investment Project for Sports Infrastructure on Ambergris Caye
The stadium renovations is estimated to cost around $2.3Mil million dollars and with government having promised $5Mil to Ambergris Caye for the development of sports, the rest of the funds is being allocated towards the possible construction of an enclosed sporting/convention center complex.
"From the five million dollars, not only will the Ambergris Stadium be re-built, but we are looking to construct an enclosed prefab convention center which will host events such as, volleyball, basketball and many other activities. So whatever funds are left over we need to find a way to use them in projects that will benefit the island," stated Mayor Guerrero.
The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months.