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East End Stadium project ready for pitch installation

Pitch consultant Dr Ian McClements (left) Andy Bickerton, Avanel Morton and the contractors discuss the next stage of the BVIFA Stadium project. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
The pitch installation will take a little longer than originally expected as both the consultant and the contractors begin to iron out the specifics of the layout, required drainage, and location of the bases for the flood lights, and irrigation pumps, pipes and sprinkler heads. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
The pitch installation will take a little longer than originally expected as both the consultant and the contractors begin to iron out the specifics of the layout, required drainage, and location of the bases for the flood lights, and irrigation pumps, pipes and sprinkler heads. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
BVIFA officials, along with Dr Ian McClements (4th from left), discuss some finer details of the BVIFA Stadium Project. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
BVIFA officials, along with Dr Ian McClements (4th from left), discuss some finer details of the BVIFA Stadium Project. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Dr Ian McClements, consultant for STRI, a Turfgrass Research and Consultancy Business from the United Kingdom, completed a successful visit to the BVI Football Association’s new East End Stadium on Friday September 11, 2015, giving the all clear for the next stage to begin.

Dr McClements, who is a FIFA Consultant for the artificial turf pitch installation, which forms the next stage of the FA’s Goal Project, was very impressed with the preparation of the site, including the leveling and compaction “in terms of the development, the filling of the site etc, it has progressed quite well and we can now start the next stage which is putting the pitch installation out to tender. Everything is progressing quite nicely.”

BVI Football Association (BVIFA) Executives, President Mr Andy Bickerton, First Vice President Mr Aubrey Liburd and Avanell Morton also attended the site inspection and as Bickerton explained, there would be some delays to the original date line, but they were to be expected as the project moves forward.

“We are very happy as well,” he noted. “The earth moving has progressed on time, the leveling and the fill at the site has been of the highest quality and will be completed once the ghuts have been covered.”

The pitch installation will take a little longer than originally expected as both the consultant and the contractors begin to iron out the specifics of the layout, required drainage, and location of the bases for the flood lights, and irrigation pumps, pipes and sprinkler heads.

One Consultant is usually in charge of each project from start to finish and, as McClements said, “I will make a number of visits during the various phases of the project, with the next visit due to take place when the pitch has been constructed to the sub base stage.”

McClements is then expected to make a follow up visit in another six months to one year after the final installation to see how it has been contained and if there are any issues with the pitch.

Back n March 2014, during a FIFA development committee meeting, the BVIFA was granted approval for the project as part of the FIFA Goal Programme.

The project includes a 2000 seat main stand, 400-metre track and field, a regulation-sized football field with associated facilities, a netball court/volleyball court, concession stands and more than 200 parking spaces.

An access road will also be constructed between the parking lot and the stadium by Andy's Car Wash.

15 Responses to “East End Stadium project ready for pitch installation”

  • egg face (12/09/2015, 10:29) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    hope this project is looking into by the public accounts commitee yall
  • Well Sah (12/09/2015, 11:32) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    It look like that crab got his claws on that one also?
  • Guest (12/09/2015, 12:06) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Appears to be the same set of contractors for projects
    • east alone on a national project (12/09/2015, 13:20) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Cliff, crab, flipper, vadley, mandinka, stoutt, lisby and robin
      • Just saying... (12/09/2015, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        well go kiss the NDP ring and you will get your piece of the pie
  • Fat hat (12/09/2015, 16:58) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is not a government project fools read again FIFA if you do not know what it means, one thing it does not means is BVI Government project. So you do not need Public Accounts committee all the moneys coming from FIFA. Read and understand. That is why we cant get no place we do not take time to read and UNDERSTAND jus spewing negativity.
    • Boss (13/09/2015, 02:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      The government is doing all the earthworks, walls and road pretaining to the project.
  • shaw (12/09/2015, 23:16) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    What do the people of BVI really get with this project of FIFA gets the use of all that (rare flat) land? The stadium holds 2000. Where are they going to stay? Will hotels follow for the visitors? How often will it be in use? What about stadium security lights shining in residents' windows all night? I find it a poor choice for the BVI. We don't have the space or infrastructure. More public bathrooms, locker rooms etc? These kinds of big projects are rarely thought out and yes, it is a good idea to get some financial accounting of how all this works and how the contractors are being paid.
    • kevin (13/09/2015, 09:51) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Shaw u need to get all ur facts before u jump on here on start to talk BS str8.
      • shaw (14/09/2015, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        So can you answer my concerns of unintended consequences? This is too big.
    • @ shaw (15/09/2015, 06:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      You really want to know when its completed you will see... I guess your one of the silly person that kick up against the airport as well.. so how can you see the importance of the stadium when there is no international airport.. I guess your to young to remember the biggest sporting event to make history in the BVI the cricket match some years ago guess not
  • Hmmmm (13/09/2015, 09:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Them people giving something away for free? who really believes that? Free stuff can end up costing millions when dealing with certain types. Why do we always seem to fall for the something for nothing schemes?
  • for real (15/09/2015, 06:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why ppl of the bvi is so arrogant is the bvi the only country that ever benefit from a fifa goal project we will forever be behind the rest of the world. If one should visit Anguilla there goal project is way above us yes by far above us and we are here making noise about all sort of crop... one thing with fifa when they spend there money no government touches that fifa has its own government they control and run things incase you all don't know....


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