General Contractor of AM Construction from Orange Walk Town, Augusto Blanco has won the bid to construct a multi-million dollar state of the art Stadium for islanders of Ambergris Caye. A release from the Belize Infrastructure Limited, the public sector agency of the Government of Belize, states that the agency has undertaken the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multipurpose facilities. The Construction phase of the San Pedro Football Field comes at a price tag of $2,623,911.95 Belize dollars.
Contract signed for works on San Pedro Football Field
A contract was signed for works on the San Pedro Football Field. The contract was awarded to AM Construction Company Limited of Orange Walk for two million six hundred and twenty three thousand, nine hundred and eleven dollars and ninety five cents. Signing on behalf of AM Construction Company Limited was general contractor, Agusto Blanco.
Where's all the money coming from for these projects? Sorry for asking if this has all been explained in other threads. The backside updated area is dtill not functioning as intended, is that correct? The road north must be hugely expensive and now this? Hey, I'm not against anything. It's that there's always been the complaint that Ambergris brought in the tourist dollars but the government barely apportioned any of it back to the island. Something has changed. Please educate me. TIA
A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?
Ground Breaking ceremony officially held for Ambergris Stadium
The long awaited groundbreaking ceremony of the Ambergris Stadium Renovation Project took place in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Friday, September 18th. The event marks the official commencement for the construction of a new sporting facility which will replace the old one. Estimated to cost around 2.3 million dollars, the project is being funded by the Government of Belize in its commitment with youth and sports. Upon completion, this new stadium will meet the needs of the sporting population on the island and will be equipped with a FIFA international standard pitch in order to host international games. The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months at the most. The project is being coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), and executed by AM Construction Company from the Orange Walk District.
However, the magnitude of the project left a few questions in the air, such as its design and if it can be accomplished. "Every project needs to start with a design and as we go along amendments are done. But I think it is realistic and it will be accomplished and it is a project that I think the sporting community will push for so that it is completed, and the council will be stay behind it to guarantee its completion as well," said Guerrero. The project was designed by a private architect firm without any involvement of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC).
Guerrero also addressed concerns that a local island contractor is not building the facility. "I don't think there is one contractor on the island that has the type of equipment needed to do this project. The mainland companies are bigger than the ones on the island, and I am not saying that the companies on the island cannot do the job, but they are not equipped to do this type of building. On the other hand, we also have other projects coming up which are part of the funds for this project. From the five million dollars, not only will the Ambergris Stadium be built, but we are looking to construct an enclosed prefab convention centre which will host events such as, volleyball, basketball and many other activities. So whatever funds are left over we need to find a way to use them in projects that will benefit the island," said Guerrero. He reiterated that the SPTC will work along with BIL towards the satisfactory completion of the project.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
$5Mil Investment Project for Sports Infrastructure on Ambergris Caye The stadium renovations is estimated to cost around $2.3Mil million dollars and with government having promised $5Mil to Ambergris Caye for the development of sports, the rest of the funds is being allocated towards the possible construction of an enclosed sporting/convention center complex.
"From the five million dollars, not only will the Ambergris Stadium be re-built, but we are looking to construct an enclosed prefab convention center which will host events such as, volleyball, basketball and many other activities. So whatever funds are left over we need to find a way to use them in projects that will benefit the island," stated Mayor Guerrero.
The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months.
BTW, I'm with you, Seashell..... I mentioned this reality a week or so ago and got shot down as being a negative influence. (After all, those Up North come first.)
Does it say it's AstroTurf anywhere? Expecting grass as it will be much cheaper in the short term ie construction phase/construction budget.
Personally the most exciting Project in San Pedro in my time here. I'd have liked to see paved/concrete roads into each subdivision rather than North but hey.
A quick calculation of installation costs for Astro Turf of a project this size would approach $800K US in the US. That would make one think it is not likely......
_ _ _ _ _ _ _________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ But then what do I know, I am but a mere caveman
I was there. It was long and hot and my concentration wavered somewhat.
I seem to remember the Bz$2.3M was just for the Stadium and surroundings buildings stands etc. Money has already been spent filling and clearing the enlarged area. The total project was expected to be closer to $5m and there was a secondary contract to be awarded for the pitch and landscaping? Far from certain this is correct and prepared to be told so.
Here are some pictures of the progress of the construction of the Ambergris Stadium.
October 30, 2015: Currently piles are being installed and the sections (parking, broadcasting booth, field) have been outlined.
Click photos for more pictures!
Bleachers or stands at a guess, as they are planned to run the length of the pitch. Also recently speaking with the Town Councillor for Sports the pitch will be astroturf.
Bleachers or stands at a guess, as they are planned to run the length of the pitch. Also recently speaking with the Town Councillor for Sports the pitch will be astroturf.
Astroturf..ugh. Will definitely be more sustainable, but SO hot!
FIFA (such a great reputation on the outset)..... I'd like to hear from others that have experienced the "fun" of playing on Astroturf. (It is supposed to be fun, isn't it...?)
So, pamkillen, in this case the cancer causing agents will be above ground in San Pedro instead of used as landfill and roadbed. at least for the time being.
A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?
If you live life by avoiding "todays" cancer causing agent you'd stop living, breathing air and drinking water soon enough. Reality is we don't have a clue and are just taking guesses. Humans aren't as smart as they think.
True, there are so many avenues that we're not aware of that constitute a cancer risk. We're kind of at the mercy of this uncertainty. And we do our best to stay aware of ongoing revelations.... there is no shortage of those announcements. But..... When we DO have information that indicates a cancer risk, we should avoid that risk. We have that info on lots of stuff.....now, add Astroturf to that list.
Of course, you could always kneel down, throw some salsa on your local Astroturf field, and munch away, with the comfort of knowing, "Hey... YOLO.....can't stop living, right?"
The San Pedro Town Council hereby informs the general public that the Ambergris Stadium located in the San Pablo area is currently under construction. We ask the public to abstain from performing any activities (practices and/or games) at the above-mentioned site for safety reasons.
The San Pedro Town Council thanks you for your full cooperation and understanding in this matter.
On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, made a visit to San Pedro Town as part of his official tour. His tour included a visit to the construction site of the Ambergris Stadium in the San Pablo area, where he met with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Deputy Mayor Gary Greif, Councilor Hector Alamilla and Councilor Gabriel Nuñez.
Also present at the site was the general manager of BIL, Ms. Christy Mastry and Mr. Augusto Blanco from AM Construction who presented an overview of the ongoing project.
Currently, the site has been completely cleared and bathroom facilities have been built. Land fill is being delivered and will be spread and compacted. The bleachers are also going up and is expected to accomodate approx. 800 people.
In a few months, San Pedro Town is expected to boast one of the most equipped stadiums in the country. The Ambergris Stadium, which is currently under construction, will feature a FIFA international standard pitch that will allow the hosting of international games. Since the launching of the project in September of 2015, progress has been visible on site, and on Wednesday, February 17th, an inspection of the works was conducted.
Nearing its completion, the site has been completely cleared and bathroom facilities are finished. Land- fill has been delivered and will soon be spread and compacted. Another major development is the building of the bleachers which is expected to comfortably accommodate approximately 800 persons.
No delays are envisioned for the completion of the project, and the time frame to complete the stadium continues in the range of 8 to 10 months from its starting date back in September of 2015. Mastry, who oversees the execution of the project, stated back in November of 2015 that the works are advancing as planned and talks have been held on the possibility of using synthetic turf on the pitch. "We are looking to see if it will be appropriate and affordable for the project in Ambergris Caye. It has been a suggestion to us by many people, and we know the challenges with maintaining natural grass… the irrigation and water supply… so we are trying to pull our pennies together and make this work."
The vision of Belize infrastructure Limited for the project continues to be the same. Upon completion the stadium will include a regulation pitch, locker facilities, concession stands, bathroom facilities and a storage unit. Once completed, the field will be the only proper football pitch on the island and will benefit the development of the sport on the island. In addition the stadium will also be suitable for softball, running and track and field.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
Hmmm....800. Seats. 4 people per golf cart, assume 60% "drive" that's 120 parks. Is a parking lot included in the plans, or is it business as usual with gold carts strewn around like kids' toys for these events? I didn't see any area for parking, maybe a business idea for a local entrepreneur?
Construction of the Ambergris Stadium is well under way. Pictured here are the bleachers, concession stands and drainage. You can also observe that majority of the landfill has been spread throughout the field.
Ambergris Stadium in its final stage of completion
The highly anticipated Ambergris Stadium sporting complex is in its final stages of construction. Since the project launched in September 2015, much visible progress has been made, with only finishing touches left. Christy Mastry from Belize Infrastructure Limited confirmed to The San Pedro Sun that the stadium should be completed by September 2016.
This stadium will come equipped with a regulation pitch, locker facilities, concession stands, bathroom facilities, and a storage unit. The multi-purpose stadium will also be suitable for softball, running and track and field. So far, synthetic grass has been compacted, stadium lighting has been placed, part of the bleachers have been installed, the VIP section and broadcast booth is done, and the concession stands are finished.
However, with any new development, the SPTC has seen its fair share of criticism. There have been complaints about the usage of synthetic grass over natural grass. According to Alamilla, the synthetic grass is something the SPTC studied keenly. In the past, the SPTC has used natural grass, but it did not last, so the field was filled with sand instead. He also notes that salt air is a serious issue in San Pedro, and it kills grass if it is not properly maintained. "The only problem with synthetic grass is the heat, but right now, most of our games are played in evenings. I believe that it will not be a problem because the heat from the sun should go down by then. The synthetic grass also provides the proper mechanisms suitable for all weather conditions, especially rain. If it rains, the field has sufficient drains," said Alamilla.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
Ambergris Stadium Sports Complex in HD - Project Update - San Pedro - Belize
HD Aerial footage of new Ambergris Stadium. New sports complex on Ambergris Caye is nearing completion. Project update and drone footage of the new facility. Opening soon!
The multi-purpose stadium, which is substituted with synthetic grass, will come equipped with a regulation pitch, locker facilities, concession stands, bathroom facilities, and a storage unit. It will also be suitable for various sports, including: softball, running, track and field, and newly added, basketball. Despite Hurricane Earl, the renowned sporting complex is still on-schedule, and with the pace of construction, the inaugural ceremony is set to take place in September 2016.
Though there were some speculations about changes in the design plan, Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) General Manager Christy Mastry, confirmed that no changes were made in the actual design plan. However, they added additional enhancements to the stadium, such as adding a basketball court facility, to better accommodate the multi-purpose sporting arena.
Also, some concerns arose whether or not the football field could with stand harsh weather conditions. According to Mastry, the stadium currently does not have any issues with retaining rain water. During their post-Earl assessment, it was observed that only rain water was collected on the field, and since then, they have elevated the entire ground level to 38 inches above the lagoon level. With additional tweaks made, Mastry is confident that the stadium can endure extreme weather.
"We have absolutely no problems with our field drainage. The issue with any field is when they don't have proper drainage, but once you have drainage, you shouldn't have problems with water," said Mastry.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
The state-of-the-art design of the Ambergris Stadium will no doubt transform the professionalism of sports on the island. With the stadium in its final stage of completion, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) official Development Officer Rodrigo Kenton, along with Football Federation of Belize Technical Director Renan Cowo, led an inspection of the multi-purpose stadium on Friday, August 27th. Guiding the officials were the San Pedro Town's Council's Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Councilor in Charge of Sports Hector Alamilla, Property Tax Clerk Wilbert Magana, and Sports Coordinator Kent Bob Gabrouel.
The purpose of the inspection was for the officials to examine the sporting complex, and see if they could help with further recommendations to assist development of football, not only on the island, but throughout the country. After evaluating around and inside the stadium, officials gave their feedback.
Although Kenton only visits two to three times per year in Belize, he is very pleased with the growth of San Pedro's stadium. "I know football in Belize will make a big jump, and I'm positively impressed with the stadium. Now, we also have hope that FIFA will hire an official that will participate in all sporting events," said Kenton.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
The Ambergris Stadium has been in construction for more than a year, and is now undergoing its finishing touches. Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) General Manager Christy Mastry has confirmed to The San Pedro Sun that the stadium should be completed either by the end of November or the first week of December. Highly anticipated by sporting enthusiasts, the renowned stadium is expected to transform sports professionalism on the island.
Initially, Mastry told The San Pedro Sun in her last interview that the inauguration ceremony of the stadium was set to take place in September 2016. However, due to certain setbacks pertaining to the installation of lighting, the completion date has changed. "We are looking at the end of November or early December. It is always hard to predict a certain date, especially when we are dependent on utility companies and other issues. However, this is our final target goal. The stadium is nearing its final completion," explained Mastry.
At the moment, the civil workers are placing roofs onto the VIP lounge, installing glass windows and finishing both locker and restroom facilities. In addition, Mastry stated that the parking lot area, and sidewalk is being cast and should be completed by next week.
Since the start of rainy season, many individuals have asked whether or not the synthetic turf could sustain inclement weather condition. Mastry reiterates that the stadium's turf does not have any issues retaining water. According to her, the synthetic turf has lasting effects compared to natural grass. "The turf is built to take rain, and it's built to sustain water. The drainage system we have in place is to assure that we don't flood. If it was natural grass, water puddles would have soaked the field and prevented players from using it," said Mastry.
According to Alamilla, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 26th, and the San Pedro Sports Committee (SPSC) is preparing for that special day. "The SPSC has organized three games, one being a Corozal Under 13 team to go against our Under 13 teams. Then, the San Pedro Veterans will be playing against Chetumal Veterans. Our stellar game will be our own San Pedro Football Club playing against a team all the way from Austin, Texas, USA, Real Chutemoc F.C. This team is also sponsored by Univision, a popular Spanish language broadcast television network stationed in the United States, who will be also traveling with them," said Alamilla.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
The San Pedro Town Council, Minisitry of Tourism & Civil Aviation and the San Pedro Sports Committee are excited to announce the official inauguration of the newly constructed Ambergris Stadium on November 26, 2016. After the Inaugural ceremony there will be two matches for everyone to enjoy! Come witness the matches between San Pedro's teams versus the teams from Mexico and USA! Tickets are on sale at the San Pedro Town Council for only $10.
Entertainment by Yaka's Elite Dancers in collaboration with the San Pedro Dance Academy and music by San Pedro's very own, Rompe Raja!
The football stadium is a great thing for our island, but.......A real concerning issue for me is that no one seems to be placing healthcare as a #1 issue, all this money is being placed on entertainment, but yet we still have no medical transport? We place an injured ( as seen recently in the newspaper) or sick person in the back of a pickup or in a golf cart! This is unbelievable, that money is spent for this stadium, when we still have no proper medical transport- I'm wondering if someone knows what happened to the ambulances that were donated to the island? And we need not just drivers, but someone at the very least, should have proper first aid knowledge to be the transporter. Come on people, Belize encourages retirees to live here, but medical seems to be ignored- What can we do? Any suggestions? ( please no humor, or negative responses) this is a very serious problem
I don't think this is an either-or thing Jameela ...... we have social issues to deal with and these social issues dramatically affect quality of life on the island for EVERYONE. Our youth need something to do that is healthy and stimulating. This stadium not only gives our young men and women a place to learn athletics and fair play, it gives families and others wholesome island-based entertainment. These things cannot be underestimated in their benefits to the community.
Jameela you are correct with your concern about health care on the Island but Diane said very well what is another concern for the citizens of the Island and also has a very high priority. This and many other concerns on the Island and country compete for scarce dollars.
If you are a retiree like I am you are certainly warranted in your concerns. We have had several unfortunate incidents over the years which maybe would not have happened back in the States but we are not back in the States and Belize, a country of 350k population, will probably never have health care like I'm used to back home.
We have had many discussions on this subject over the years usually after a bad incident. Several years ago the town bought a piece of land and ear marked it for a hospital. Nothing has happened since to my knowledge and I won't hold my breath. Medical transportation of course is important and I did see the Ambulance a few times but not in quite a while. They can hardly keep their police vehicles in service so the ambulance probably met a similar fate. I will say that things in medical care have gotten somewhat better in the last 10 years or so but at a dreadfully slow pace. It was quite a blow when the UK closed their base in Belize because they used to do med flights to Belize City. But even with that to get from the Island to a hospital in Belize City takes a lot of time at a time when you may not have time. Tropic Air does it now, I think, but again a lot of time is involved. The Clinic is doing a pretty good job and they have amazed me a few times in some of their accomplishments.
It is a trade off I guess for those retirees living down here and each of us depending on our circumstances (health) has to make that decision.
The Inaugural Ceremony for the Ambergris Stadium has been postponed until further notice; however, since the teams are already here, the scheduled games will continue as planned. Don't miss out on these games!
San Pedro Enjoys New Ambergris Stadium at Soft Opening Games
The Government of Belize, through the Belize Infrastructure Limited, held a soft launch of the Ambergris Stadium this past weekend with two soccer matches played at the newly constructed sports facility.
The stadium is still a few weeks from final completion but the island of Ambergris Caye was treated to more than a sneak preview of the Ambergris Stadium facilities. Those in attendance of the friendly matches enjoyed the actual first time use of the new synthetic turf field and its complimenting lighting system.
The sporting event was being held to o commemorate San Pedro's annual Township Day, but those ceremonies were postponed due to bad weather. Fans enjoyed friendly games between SP Veterans and Mexico's Auditoria FC and SP Football Club and USA's Real Cuauhtemoc FC.
While much of the civil works remain to be completed, as well as additional items on the building facility, the lighting and turf are ready; work continues on the stadium to have it complete.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in The Ambergris Today
Ambergris Stadium opens up with inaugural football games
The highly-anticipated inauguration of the Ambergris Stadium was scheduled for Saturday, November 26th, but due to the inclement weather, was postponed until further notice. However, to celebrate San Pedro's 32nd Township Anniversary, the planned football games were still on, and saw hundreds of islanders and visitors pack the new state-of the art stadium.
The new sporting facility is upgraded with not only synthetic turf, stage lighting, and bleachers, but also with has concession stands, lockers and bathroom facilities. Before the official games began, the crowd enjoyed a friendly match from two local Under-13 teams.
After intermission, the highlight of the night was the San Pedro Football Club playing against Real Chutemoc F.C. from Austin, Texas, USA. A short ceremony took place on the field, with both National Anthems from Belize and United States playing in the background. As soon as the referee blew his whistle to start the game, San Pedro FC dominated the field. This hometown victory certainly had fans cheering loudly, thrilled with San Pedro's footballers. As San Pedro FC team celebrated their victory, Councilor of Sports, Youth and Development Hector Alamilla, expressed told the crowd that this was one of his proudest moments. Although the stadium is not fully finished, Belize Infrastructure Limited stated in a press release that they will continue to work on the site, and will host the opening ceremony once the project is officially completed. Congratulations to all the teams who participated, especially to San Pedro FC for their great victory!
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
After construction delays, Ambergris Stadium's official inauguration draws nearer After four months of delays, the state-of-the-art Ambergris Stadium is finally approaching its official inauguration. Initially, a soft-opening ceremony was scheduled in November 2016, in honor of San Pedro's 32nd Township Anniversary, but the ceremony was postponed due to inclement weather. As a result, the $2.3 million project, coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), and executed by AM Construction Company from the Orange Walk District, was delayed. However, the stadium is in its final stage of completion, and is now undergoing finishing touches for the official inauguration.
General Manager Christy Mastry has confirmed to The San Pedro Sun that the stadium should be completed by the end of April. "We plan to be done no later than the end of the month [April 2017]. Then, BIL will be coordinating inauguration plans with Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the Area Representative of Belize Rural South, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. We will also discuss the handing over of the management once the project is delivered," said Mastry.
As the stadium is expected to transform sports professionalism on the island, some of its highlights include: a synthetic turf, stage lighting, bleachers, concession stands, lockers and bathroom facilities. According to Mastry, the exterior components of the project has been completed. However, some civil work is currently being done to insert interior cabinetry for the locker rooms and install final electrical work on the second floor, which will be for the VIP area/media booth, and the sidewalk and parking lot area is being casted.
Mastry explained what caused the delay of the project. "We had a couple of issues with the contractors slowing down and not having as much staff out there. So BIL got involved, along with myself, and we made sure that we put the project on hold until we had the proper crew that were qualified to do what we wanted back on site. However, nothing has changed in the design. We just had a few delays that pushed us back. We're moving forward, and expect it to be fully completed soon," said Mastry. However, BIL did not explain if the additional crew requirement falls within the indicated budget, or if it resulted in additional construction costs.
I have lived here only 13 years so don't know everyplace by site. I just scrolled through all 6 pages of this thread and can find nothing about location - not a map - not a 'near' - not an area. Maybe we can name this "the secret stadium."
Not that secret. Parking was packed for the first games and the stadium was full. Even back in the day for a good game on a Sunday afternoon the place was packed.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero scores the first goal as part of the activities of the inauguration of Ambergris Stadium.
Ambergris Stadium is officially inaugurated
After its September 2015 project launch, the prestigious Ambergris Stadium was officially inaugurated on Sunday, May 21st. Coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), along with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), and executed by AM Construction Company from the Orange Walk District, the $4.4 million state-of-the-art multi-purpose sporting arena was designed to transform sports professionalism on the island. Over 500 people were in attendance to enjoy great entertainment and football action.
After entertainment from The Saints, the most anticipated game of the night took place. San Pedro's semi-pro team, the San Pedro Pirates, made their debut, facing the Police United F.C. from Belmopan, Belize. The crowd was ecstatic, shouting and waving flags to cheer on the SP Pirates. Both teams put on an impressive show of talent, tying the game 2-2.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see LOTS more photos in the San Pedro Sun
New Ambergris Stadium Officially Inaugurated To Promote Sports In San Pedro
The long-awaited inauguration of the San Pedro Ambergris Stadium on Ambergris Caye took place on Sunday, May 21, 2017, with much fanfare . Residents gathered to witness the cutting of the ribbon of this new project and wasted no time in making use of it. Pastor Clive Welch opened the ceremony with a short prayer.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero expressed his sincere gratitude to those who have encouraged, promoted and participated in the sport of football: "From the San Pedro Football Field to Sacachispas and now the Hon. Louis Sylvester Sports Complex. It was from that old field that local football celebrities were born. They are local celebrities that now adorn our local hall of fame such as: Dimas, Spanish, Pancho Verde, Pelé, Steve, Chapo, Jaime, Panny Arceo, Chapin and more. Local football teams were: Los Atleticos, Espanoles, Los Diablos, Caribena, La Mafia, Ramon's, Veterans, Mario Boys, Dolphins, my team Fido Rangers and much more."
Click here to read the rest of the article in the Ambergris Today
4 Million dollar football field for San Pedro
Residents of San Pedro proudly gathered at the San Pedro Ambergris stadium along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hon. Patrick Faber; Area Representative, Hon. Manuel Heredia and the Mayor of San Pedro, His worship Daniel Guerrero to officially declare the state of the art facility opened.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Guerrero noted that 33 years ago residents of the island would not have imagined that the municipality would have developed by leaps and bounds as it is now. He said that the new facility is a testament of progress being ushered by the United Democratic Party Government. "The biggest asset of the island is the people," he said, and added that it is through the effort of and hard work of those that came before that the new facility is made possible. He also took time to thank the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow for the investment in the island.
And the investment is a significant one, according to Belize Infrastructure Limited's Christy Mastry, a total of 4.4 million dollars was invested in the 4 and a half acre space of land. She said that half of this was actually mangrove swamp and it took some doing for the facility to be constructed. Mastry noted that for the synthetic field to have been installed, proper drainage was necessary. She said that at the beginning the highest point on the pitch was only 10 inches above the lagoon water level. That had to be raised to between 32 and 36 inches in order for the turf to be installed.
Aside from the synthetic turf, the stadium has a seating capacity of between 1200 and 1500 persons. It has VIP rooms, a media booth, locker rooms, bathroom facilities and concession areas. It also features lighting that conform to international standards.
Addressing the gathering, Area Representative, Hon. Manuel Heredia stated that 4.4 million dollar investment highlights the government's commitment to people and especially the youth. He added that the Mayor has done a fantastic job and because of this the people of San Pedro will return him and his team to office to do better things for the island.
Minister of Sports, Hon. Patrick Faber explained that the football field is a dream come true for the people of San Pedro as much as it is a dream come true for Hon. Heredia. He noted that the state of the art facility is one of many that are being constructed across the country. He cited the Civic Center in Belize city which will be completed by December of this year and the Marion Jones Complex which is also nearing completion. The San Pedro field he said comes from proceeds of Petro Caribe and is testament that there is actual investment that took place as the facilities are on the ground. He ended by saying that the facility should be used for development of young people for local, national and international level competition.
Great great Stadium. Huge well done to all involved. Spoke with some of the Veterans who played before the Pirates and they said the synthetic pitch was a perfect to play on with no burns or bad bounce problems at all. The best GOB money i have seen spent in my time here that should leave a long and lasting legacy for generations of kids and adults here on the Caye.
As for the San Pedro Pirates who will call this home Well we have a great Management Team behind the scenes and we also look like we have a great new young team on the field. The Pirates held their own against the sub champions this past season in a 2-2 draw. A very entertaining, skillful, flowing football match yet we have very little experience and lots of young island talent against several National Team members in the Police United ranks (we played Police not Belmopan Bandits), so the future looks bright.
I look forward to Sunday afternoons in the bleachers with a beer cheering them on. Wont quite be the same without Cliff Arthurs there walking up and down cheering "We beat em once we can beat em again" and lauding "Cholo's coldest beers in Town".
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Speaking at the event, Mayor Guerrero noted that 33 years ago residents of the island would not have imagined that the municipality would have developed by leaps and bounds as it is now. He said that the new facility is a testament of progress being ushered by the United Democratic Party Government. "The biggest asset of the island is the people," he said, and added that it is through the effort of and hard work of those that came before that the new facility is made possible. He also took time to thank the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow for the investment in the island.
