TPRC chair criticises halt of Eddie Hart Grounds upgrade

2026-03-24 - 02:14

Shane Superville Senior Reporter shane.superville@guardian.co.tt Discarded plywood and wooden beams now lie scattered across the Eddie Hart Recreation Grounds in Tacarigua, where construction of a pavilion was expected to be underway. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, Josiah Austin, said the apparent halt in works is a “major disappointment” as such infrastructure works would have developed the grounds and the wider community as a hub for residents. Austin said the project was approved under the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) government and was expected to take 15 months to be completed, but was told that the project, undertaken by the Urban Development Corporation of TT (UDeCoTT), was stopped due to financial constraints. “This was a highly anticipated project, and thousands of users of this savannah were also expecting this project. “Since the April 2025 election, we haven’t seen any progress. It is my understanding that it was terminated because there was no show of funds for such a project, and although I know under the then prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, funds were allocated, and we were expecting its completion, but it’s very unfortunate.” Austin said the project would have added a board room, washroom facilities and seating accommodations for 1,500 spectators, which he said would have raised the aesthetic appeal of the grounds and provided a more accessible, user-friendly space to budding athletes, youths and hobbyists in the area. “It’s just a really unfortunate development with this situation, knowing that we have to start from scratch, especially not knowing where we’re going from here.” Guardian Media sought a response from Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John, who said she would first have to find out which agency was responsible for project management. When told that UDeCoTT was involved in the project, John responded by saying, “I have asked.” However, no further response was received up to press time yesterday.