The reconstruction of the Tarkwa and Abosso (T&A) Park in Tarkwa in the Western region is set to be completed in December.
The project is financed by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) at a cost of $16.2 million.
Works being executed by Micheletti & Company Limited include a VVIP stand, general stands for spectators and officials, parking lots, an ambulance bay, Local Organising Committee (LOC) office, dressing rooms, offices for coaches and referees, a media centre and a commentary box, are about 73 percent complete, said Gold Fields Ghana engineers.
Other facilities under construction included the flood lights, a physiotherapy and first aid office, office for Match Commissioners and referees and kits store.
Briefing journalists as part of a media tour on Thursday, the Project Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Mr Roger Adama said, the project was on course and that, so far, Micheletti, an experienced contractor, has done a good work.
He explained that, originally, the T&A Park with a seating capacity of 400 was not up to FIFA standards, hence the plan by Gold Fields to reconstruct it to meet international standards.
It will have a 10,400 sitting capacity.
Mr Adama assured that despite the changes in scope, “we are speeding up work and hopefully, it would be completed on schedule by December, this year.”
He told the journalists that initially, work delayed due to extra works to stabilise the ground conditions and fabrication of steel frames which had to be imported, coupled with COVID-19 lockdowns, excavation of pitch and the inclement weather conditions in the Tarkwa enclave.
Mr Adolph Amevor, Project Manager of Micheletti and Co. Ltd, also assured that his outfit would deliver within the time frame, saying “we’re on course”
The Manager, Sustainable Development at Gold Fields, Robert Siaw, mentioned that the company desired to deliver a project that was resilient and redeem itself in future.
He recalled that, in 2020, realising the potentials of sports, particularly football, Gold Fields decided to execute the project and also upgraded the Akoon Park to host Medeama Sporting Club.
Reiterating Gold Fields’ belief in shared value and in leaving a legacy for the Apinto Division, Mr Siaw said, the company began the project because anytime it rained, it was difficult to host away teams like Kumasi Asante Kotoko in Tarkwa.
“And so, with a bottom-up approach, we decided to rehabilitate and build this modern, 10,400 capacity stadium as part of our 25th anniversary celebration and how we want Tarkwa people to remember Gold Fields Ghana Foundation.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TARKWA
