Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. has indicated that the government has spent a significant amount of money to upgrade the National Stadium, Providence, for the ongoing three T20 Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan.
At a site visit on Friday, the Minister was questioned on the magnitude of works done and the cost, and he responded saying: “There have been ongoing works that have been happening since we got into office, but specifically for the upgrade, we are spending G$50 Million.”
International cricket was last played at Providence in August 2019 when India visited the Caribbean, and the last First-Class match at the venue was in March 2020.
The National Stadium was built in 2006 for the 2007 50-over World Cup, and subsequently hosted the Men’s and Women’s World T20s.
For these three matches, fully vaccinated persons (both doses) are allowed in the venue, once they have received their second jab two weeks before the date of the game they intend to attend. Approval has been granted for 40% capacity during the matches.
The Stadium has a capacity of approximately 15,000.
Assistant Manager at the Stadium Mahinder Ghanshim had told News Room Sport earlier this month that all 300 chairs in the Presidential Box had the upholstery redone; the dressing room in the players’ pavilion, CWI office in the main pavilion, press box area, and Venue Operations Centre are among the areas that got rehab works in a “short space of time.”
