?The new structure being built on the compound of the Prime Minister's official residence is an outdoor stage–and not a "concert hall" –and is going to cost approximately $10 million, Works Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday. Speaking at the Government's weekly media briefing, Imbert said: "I have been given a figure but I'm not sure how accurate the figure is. If it is accurate then it's certainly value for money. I was told it is going to cost approximately $10 million. If that is true, from the size of what I'm seeing there, it is way below market rate."
He said he was told the structure would be completed by year-end. "By the way it's an outdoor facility," he said. "I've heard it's been referred to by someone as a concert hall. I don't know where you all got that from, but you all are very creative. The media in T&T is very creative–it is an outdoor stage. It's a stage that allows for performances to be done outdoors." Adjoining the stage on the St Ann's compound are the Diplomatic Centre and the PM's official residence building. Prime Minister Patrick Manning's own residence–he has said in Parliament - is in Vistabella, San Fernando.