New Management Will Make Civic "World-Class" for Entertainment

So when will the much anticipated and controversial Civic Center be completed? There were reports it was supposed to have been done in October, but Co-Chair of BIL Patrick Faber told the media on Thursday that it is almost at completion and should be done by December, which was the original date set for completion. But that date is different from the opening date. Faber says that BIL is already looking at management companies and will be meeting to review all bids submitted for the management of the Civic. According to Faber, the local Sports Council is not able to manage the facility because the Government wants to see it become more than just a venue to host small local events; they want to raise it to generate income. Here's what he had to say about the bidding process for the management of the new civic.

Patrick Faber, Co-Chair, BIL

"I feel that they are close to completion, but at any rate, I don't feel that December will pass without it being handed over. But when in terms of the timeline it is going to be open is another question. In fact we want to be sure that we get the management company on stream. The process of selecting that company is what we are undergoing. We will receive the final bids I think it is Monday, December fourth or fifth and then there will be an evaluation of those bids. I will be present on those evaluation meetings myself so I am going to ensure that we get what is needed for the Belizean people in terms of their involvement and usage despite the fact that there is a management company and we are going to try and be as transparent as possible. The argument of course that some have I have listened - they have said why the sports council itself can't manage the facility. People must understand that there are a number of factors involved why we need the management company. One is the proper maintenance of the facility is going to be very costly and we must generate income. It can't be that it is a free for all - everybody come; as you know we are capable of in this country; anybody who doesn't admit that they are just not being honest. What we want is some entity that will also generate income and the national sports council - with all due respect to everybody there, you know I am the Minister and I would never run down one of my own arms; but we want an entity that can attract the business. These management companies are engage in entertainment all over the world and I remember speaking to one individual who was interested - I am not sure of that company eventually put in its submission - that company promoted the Mayweather fights and they are looking to bring business to Belize and money to Belize. And that is what we need. We are not just going to rely on NEBL games and a concert here and there - that is not going to sustain managing and maintaining a facility like that."

Answers Coming on BIL and Civic

Co-Chair of Belize Infrastructure Limited, Patrick Faber, says that he has not seen any letter from Leader of the Opposition John Brice�o where he requested information about contracts put to tender by BIL. Brice�o had called for details on the contracts awarded, costs and other matters surrounding works associated with the special purpose vehicle created by G.O.B. for major construction works. Well, Faber says that all that information will be available on BIL's website and that Brice�o, like any other member of the public interested in knowing the details of projects under its supervision, can get it from there. But while everything will be available online, BIL will be hosting an open day where the engineers and BIL Board Members will be giving full disclosure on the civic.

Patrick Faber, Co-Chair, BIL

"I have not seen a copy of the letter officially from Mister Brice�o. As I have said on my Facebook page, I believe that it is a ploy on his part but there are numerous ways in which Mister Brice�o can get the questions answered if he so desires. I am informed by the managing director of BIL, Miss Mastry, that the BIL website is in the process of updating and much of the information that he is seeking will be there. I also know as well that if he wants a proper answer to the question he can ask it as a part of questions to Ministers in the House which he ought to have done. But until I get an official copy of his request, I don't feel obliged to answer. I have said as it relates to the Belize City Center, as Co-Chair of BIL, I have asked the BIL folks to ensure that there is an open day that we will ask the engineers, the BIL board members and everybody else to give full disclosure as to what everything is costing and as to why the Civic Center needs to undergo the kind of management contractors that we are seeking; that we will do pretty shortly and we will announce the date when it will be done. I think it is early December; I just need to confirm the date."

Channel 5