Demolition of National Stadium to proceed this month

A revised start date for demolition at the National Stadium has been set, with initial work now underway and residents being assured of ongoing communication as the project moves forward, according to the agency driving the redevelopment.

A day after the April 15 deadline originally set by sports minister Charles Griffith passed without the expected breaking down of the nearly 55-year-old structure at Waterford, the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTII) sought to clarify the project’s timeline.

“We were initially aiming to begin on April 15, but life is not a straight line,” communications consultant Joy-Ann Haigh, the spokesperson for BTII, told reporters at the site.

She said initial preparations had begun with the removal of soft furnishings and memorabilia from the facility, followed by mobilisation of equipment in readiness for the demolition phase.

Haigh said: “Given the proximity to the Easter weekend, and out of respect for Barbadians who treat Easter with as much significance as Christmas, we took the decision to hold off until April 22. We didn’t want to disturb residents with unnecessary dust and noise while they were preparing their homes.”

Phase one of the project will span three months and includes the demolition of adjoining structures and a gradual deconstruction of the stadium stands, she explained.

“We want to be clear – this isn’t an implosion,” Haigh said. “The stands are being deconstructed by hand and machinery. Once sections are brought down to a manageable level, heavier equipment will take over. It’s a step-by-step process.”

Haigh also emphasised the importance of community engagement throughout the process. A team has begun distributing letters to residents along Stadium Road, introducing members of the Chinese construction team from Beijing Construction Engineering Group, which was appointed by the People’s Republic of China to carry out the works, she said.

“We’ve set up what we’re calling a grievance mechanism,” the BTII spokesperson said. “Each letter has a QR code. Residents can scan it and communicate directly with us. If someone says, ‘Joy-Ann, it’s too much dust,’ we’ll respond immediately. There’s an internal plan in place to ensure feedback reaches the contractor quickly.”

While Chinese workers will play a key role in executing the two-year project, Haigh said there will be opportunities for Barbadian contractors.

“This is a joint effort,” she said. “You’ll see local companies handling demolition and debris removal. There’s also a project manager on the Barbadian side working directly with the Beijing team. So it’s not just foreign hands – Barbadians are involved.”

Haigh explained that BTII is acting as the executing agency for the $80 million project.

The new development will see a modernised stadium erected on the current site, with a warm-up track and landscape changes extending towards Codrington Road and the neighbouring Barbados Lumber Company lumber yard. The timeline for phase two will be announced in due course, according to Haigh.

Despite high expectations for timely delivery of the new stadium, Haigh warned of the potential for delays, particularly with the upcoming hurricane season and global supply chain disruptions.

She said: “We expect rapid progress but weather, shipping delays, or other unforeseen events could impact the timeline. What’s important is that we communicate every change as it happens.”

Feedback from nearby residents has so far been positive, she declared. “They’re excited. They want to see it completed. And I must commend them for how warmly they’ve welcomed the construction team. It’s a real example of the Bajan spirit.” 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb