Unsuitable weather conditions are delaying completion of the synthetic track in New Amsterdam, Berbice, with installation of the specialised track surface remaining the major challenge.
Region Six Chairman Junior Basant provided the update during Thursday’s statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council, saying several other aspects of the project are progressing.
He said installation of the rubberised surface remains the most critical component yet to be completed.
“We need a bit more of the rubbering and the matting to be placed on the surface,” Basant said.
“Based on advice from the experts who are doing it, this thing can only happen for maybe like an hour at the most per day because of the temperature,” he explained.
He added that the work cannot proceed on a rainy day or a day when the sun is shining too brightly, requiring a specific climate balance that has become the biggest hindrance to progress on the track.
Basant said additional works under way at the facility include construction of washrooms near Berbice High School, installation of additional stands, and development of a parking area at the former dump site.
“What you’re seeing next to the Berbice High School; those are washrooms being constructed there. We additionally have additional stands to be put up at the synthetic track,” he said.
He noted the car park, being developed on the old dump site, was recently established and has been filled with crusher run in preparation for further development.
Despite the delay, Basant said other regional projects are continuing at a pace the Regional Democratic Council is satisfied with.
The synthetic track project, which began several years ago, is expected to provide athletes in Region Six with a modern facility for training and competition once completed.
