The former home of Carnival-The Grand Stand at Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of Spain-will be put to the test tomorrow when scores of steelbands make their way across it for the Panorama semifinals.During a tour of the newly-constructed facility by several Cabinet ministers and the media on Thursday, workers were busy painting, operating backhoes and putting final touches in preparation for tomorrow's highly anticipated event.
The tour was led by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters.Chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) Kenny de Silva said the size of the Grand Stand was 138,000 square feet and the North Stand was 36,000 square feet.He said tomorrow the North Stand could hold 10,000 people standing and 8,000 seated.De Silva said spectators would have better viewing of the stage.
He added approximately 30,000 more masqueraders were expected on the streets with the introduction of the People's Band."You have 12 new bands," he said."Ten new large bands, one classic band and a People's Band, so you're looking at approximately 30,000 more masqueraders on the streets."Peters said hosting the People's Band would cost approximately $1.3 million, and was "a small price to pay."The minister also told the media there were close to 300 people employed at the construction site on the Savannah.
Also on the tour were Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner, Sport Minister Anil Roberts, Tourism Minister Dr Rupert Griffith, Justice Minister Herbert Volney, Tobago Development Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, Planning Minister Mary King, Public Information Minister Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam, among other ministers and officials.