New Amsterdam synthetic track to be operational by mid-year – Ramson Jr
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr says the Burnham Park synthetic track in New Amsterdam, Berbice should be operational by mid-year.
“We just recently had the consultant from Germany – BSW, who came here to supervise the asphaltic work which is the project that has to happen as a precondition for the laying of a synthetic material. That was completed. The contractor has some minor touches to do just around the edges and once that is completed, it is ready for the laying of the synthetic material and that has to be done with another consultant, who is already engaged,” Ramson Jr told reporters on Sunday.
The Sport Minister said while the minor work was being done, the asphaltic material would be curing.
“So, we expect him here within about a month and then the installation of the synthetic material only takes about 30 days to complete. Once that is done, we will have some auxiliary-type work to get done. So, we are looking to get this opened for the middle of the year.”
A look at the ongoing work at the synthetic track in Berbice
Ramson Jr, speaking with reporters in Berbice after visiting the venue on Sunday, said the track should be operational by June.
“We don’t foresee any major challenges … because the hard work was the asphaltic material. The margin of error when you are laying the synthetic material is five millimetres. So, that is why it has to be supervised in such a technical way,” he explained.
“There are some minor things to be done like the cutting of the steeplechase space.”
This should take about a month and when completed the synthetic track will be laid.
“We went out to tender for the auxiliary works. Those works will take more than about three months once they are awarded to get … completed. So again, if it is right with our timeline, by the middle of the year.”
The auxiliary work is mainly concrete to make accessibility easier. The construction of a fence is also included in the auxiliary works.
Bids are still to go out for the driveway and parking lots.
The Burnham Park is being prepared so that it could also be a venue for international football.
“We have the dimensions first of all and we also have the lights. So, once the field is in good condition and we have the locker room, washrooms, etc – all that is going to include the ongoing [works]. All that will fall in very neatly with our timeline,” Ramson Jr said. (Andrew Carmichael)
