Work ceases on multi-sports complex

Work has stopped on the controversial multi-sports complex at the Orange Grove Savannah, Tacarigua, after a second stop order was issued by the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC). TPRC vice-chairman Esmond Forde confirmed that yesterday. Forde said: “Earlier this month a second stop order came from the Building and Inspections Department of the corporation to cease work on the project.

“Keep in mind that we have also written the agency that is representing the Ministry of Sport, and the Sports Company of T&T (Sportt) with regard to ensuring that the relevant documentations are submitted to the corporation for approval. “This includes a certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Ministry of Drainage certificate and WASA, T&TEC and fire department approvals.”

Tacarigua residents and members of  the Save Our Green Space Committee have called for the project to be moved, saying it will deny the hundreds of people who use the current facilities at the ground a green space. Since July they have staged a series of protests against the planned development  on the Priority Bus Route near the Eddie Hart Grounds, in front the TPRC and in front of Sportt's headquarters, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.  

The body’s acting secretary, Vernon de Leon, said yesterday he was hoping the second stop order would hold. He added: “We are optimistic that there has at last been a response to the law and the corporation's authority because for the first time this morning we saw that there was absolutely no activity there.” The group had claimed the developers had failed to stop activity at the site after the first stop order was issued.

He said the residents wanted the project moved to the state lands south of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway so as to preserve the savannah, the residents’ way of life and the aquifer beneath it.