The government of Dominica has signed a $3,681,834.20 (US$1,355,160) contract for the architectural design of a National Multi-Sports Complex in Stockfarm.
The contract was signed with Marques and Marques Arquitectos of Puerto Rico on Friday morning at the Financial Center in Roseau.
The general scope of the work includes preparation of conceptual designs, schematic designs, preparation of construction documents, assistance with the construction bidding process, construction supervision and other professional services.
The architectural design phase of the over $40-million project is expected to take four months.
After that a strict timeline will be followed for completion of the project, Sports Minister, Justina Charles said.
She the complex will include an indoor facility comprising of a netball, basketball, and volleyball courts, two tennis courts, an outdoor court and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
With regard to these different aspects of the facility, the Ministry of Sports has engaged stakeholders versed in the field of sports to share their knowledge of international sporting standards.
“It is worthy to note that the Ministry of Sports, Youth, Culture and Constituency Empowerment engaged a wide section of stakeholder which included representatives from each of the court sports who presently serve on the technical committee working group to bring to bear their knowledge of the requirements as per international standards,” Charles said.
The expense of the project, in its entirety, will be to the tune of E.C. $40-million dollars, a price tag that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said has already been set aside.
“I can say to the country, as the Minister of Finance, I have set this money aside to build this facility. So we are not going to be looking for the money, we have the money to build the facility. The entire sum will come from the Citizenship By Investment Program,” Skerrit said.
According to Skerrit, this investment is seen as a significant boost for young people who want to pursue athletics in the future, and also act as an encouragement for young people to take sporting activities more seriously.
He said that local contractors should put their house in order since it is the hope of the government that the facility is built by “local people.”
“So while the Puerto Rican firm will be designing it for us, I want for Dominicans to build it,” he said. “So you have some months now to put yourselves together and the thing is that you don’t have to do it by yourself as a contractor, why don’t you join forces with other contractors with different skill sets and create a consortium of knowledge and expertise and to bid for that particular project.”
The Architectural design phase has been set up to meet the mandate of international standards set by respective international sports federations and organizations.
Pm i support you but a sports complex is not necessary right now with so many bad roads.
Yes I Dominica! Wither goest thou? This labour party government hates Dominica and Dominicans so much that they don’t want to see Dominicans progress. They take what we should enjoy and give everything to non Dominicans. Is it because they are getting richer personally every time they give the projects to outsiders? Look at what the Labour government did with Marpin? Instead of selling the company back to the Dominican man who built it from scratch, they literally gave it to his opponents, the same people he fought against, so that he could make the cost of telecommunications to Dominicans cheaper, even though he offered more money for its purchase.
All this company is going to do for $3.6 million dollars, is copy a previous multi sports complex and present it to this unsavvy government.
What a stupid priority!
Most people can design a building the fact is responsibility, and credibility, anyone who wants the job has to be willing to put there name it, as to be responsible for the building in case of a failure you must have full insurance coverage to cover that 40M building incase of a mishap and also must have a good experience and safety record of past projects. There might be someone in DA if so tell him to step up.
The critics are not aware of this. They believe it’s about lining their pockets because they are Dominicans.
Notice a budget of only 300 thousand for designs of the Marigot hospital was set aside in the last budget..makes one wonder whether this Government and Roosevelt Skerrit know anything they’re talking about.
Dominicans deserve better accountability, enough with this speaking off the top of their heads in Gov’t, with no real level of checks and balances..The inconsistencies are alarming and possibly a heavy indication of incompetence and or corruption.
So is only Lawyers Dominica have ein .
you mean all the Dominicans who have studied and qualified to international standard were given an opportunity to apply for that design plan and were found to be incompetent so this Foreign company had was chosen . it should be investigated what affiliations this Government hold with this company.
Dominicans i really do not understand you people , They brought in foreign engineers who had no knowledge of the Melville hall river and see what has happened since , and continues to happen , costing us the same blasted money that would have built an international airport .
The Chinese built a bridge without the knowledge of the potential of the Roseau river , now the market getting flooded whenever de river angry . I hope to still be there to see how long that bridge going to last and how much will be spent always having to dredge that River too.
I even scared that something unfortunate will happen in Da and climate change will get the blame .
N
3,68 Million for a design of an indoor facility? Do we hear the sound of a “washing machine” So if was to design an international airport, would it cost 500 million?
why didn’t you want local contractors to build the 18 million dollars bridge? now you are saying you want local contractors to build this stadium. STOP using foreigners where you have local capacity. your principle on buying local food and water is good, but what about local contractors where millions of dollars are being spent. Sir you have to lead by example. you could have used local architects to design this facility, it would have cost much less than $3.6 million dollars.
Almost four million dollars just for the design an indoor sports stadium? we know how costings are done and this is just ridiculous.
We can see who benefit from the road contract that was awarded to public works!
Development you say eh.
How many years work going on for a football field!
That is an election gimmick to spread little dollars for stockfarm man on the block hoping to secure votes next election!
Julius Timothy lost because he abandoned de people. …..den election time he coming to spread money. …..insulting people.
When dem fellas go stockfarm is at 1 or 2 special homes they going. …….they doesn’t check people unless election. …….I will dash somebody with a pail of water!!!!!
I don’t mind we having a sports complex but here we are talking about sports complex and including tennis courts, yet there is no mention of an athletic track.
Just like the Petite Soufriere/Rosalie road. When will this one be completed. A young man from that community who seemed influential once said. “Any party that says they’re going to build that road have my vote” yes they said that, the people voted for them, 12 years its yet to be completed.
Regardless of the pros and cons of a National Multi-Sports Complex at Stock Farm, I am confused as to the role of the architects.
As a design engineer, my understanding of the following terms is as follows:
A Schematic Design is a representation of the elements of a system and usually omits all details that are not relevant to the information the schematic is intended to convey.
A Conceptional Design is a phase of project planning that includes producing ideas and taking into account the pros and cons of implementing those ideas.
Contract Documents are written documents that define the roles, responsibilities, and scope of work.
NB. None of the above steps take into account the major task of Detailed Design.
May I suggest that before engaging overseas architects, we ourselves should have done some very necessary Critical Thinking regarding the pros and cons of the project? Without that, we run the risk of repeating basic errors of usage, location, design and…
and construction.
So if my memory serves me…there was a stadium built at Stockfarm that no one was able to use…only the birds…Can the people be told what happened to that?
Then, to add insult to injury, there is no local company that could acquire sketches and design the plans for such a facility? And why is it that no tenders out to bid for this design???Why a Puerto Rican company????
And with CBI monies? Why is the PM the one disbursing all the CBI funds as if it were from his pocket? Why does the money not go into the treasury and through the person who is responsible tor checks and balances. The PM being the Finance Minister is poor judgement.
God forbid that there should be a major disaster on the North…say, at the airport which is the only airport on land: What is being done for taking care of the disaster?
How many local architects here are designing these structures in other countries ? Remember it is international standards and not local standards. We are leaving in the fast lane, stop and realize things are happening and move with the times. Do you want a plane to land with 200 people and nowhere to rest a head?
#SkerritMustGo
I am Dominican first and political supporter second. Too many of us support one party or the other regardless of their shortcomings. We have to support those projects and ideas that move Dominica forward no matter which party purpose or execute them. My concern is not the project to rehabilitate Roseau. My issue is the many projects that have been talked about but have not been completed. The abottoir, the coffee processing plant and most of all the much talked about thermal plant that was supposed to be generating affordable electricity by now. We have to hold our elected officials feet to the fire, Labour or UWP it does matter.
Dominica will not move forward because we are perpetually stuck in “election mode”. We are always canvassing even when there is no election. Time for nation building, time for national pride.
That is a move in the right direction.. I hope it materializes as planned and provides the expected benefits to the youth of the country to excel athletically at local and international level
So whats the use of the architects in ministry of communications? Paying them ppl every month to do WHAT exactly??
Moonlight
So no running track? Smfh
Sounds good! We’re in dire need of an athletic track. When that facility is completed it’s going to be another story for its maintenance
i want to put you on notice from now mr prime minister, no construction company from puerto rico,they are going to try pushing one on you.say no for once.lots of trick stars in P.R.
Finally! 17 years ago they began this project and just left it incomplete and deteriorating. On another note though; I think that this money should be used to for other much needed infrastructures. For instance, fixing the bridge in bagatelle, the roads in the south east (Grandbay to Petite Savanne), and building malls to replace those old dilapidated buildings that are all over Roseau-yuck! Do you know how embarrassing it is that our main city is so untidy and unappealing? Smh.
I also remember the wonderful designs for the new Roseau. Today, not even garbage is being picked up on schedule and the drains are still smelly. Elections are around the corner. New airline connections and now sports stadium design.
YOU FORGOT ERICK
Bit steep for just a design
The boys must get their cut from it first.
Steep is an understatement. Google international fees. I wonder who pockets the extras!!!!!!
What is the Prime Minister really saying about Dominicans: the hospital and health care service is not suited for ministers, bridges can’t be designed by local engineers, and our buildings can’t be designed by local architects!!!! The media say one thing, but is demonstrating the same thing!!! That should say quite a bit for leadership if he thinks we are not able to produce professions to develop this country ☹️
Do you know they paid too much? To “la po gahwit” below: The vision for exactly what to build will certainly change once the architects think it through, but one way to pay way too much is to commence the execution without any planning at all. PS — The argument that this is not the very best use of the money is the lamest argument of all, one that can always be offered by people with nothing real to say.
that would be fantastic… a facility for Dominican athletes at all ages in all sports to train and prepare for national, regional and international events!
No comments? Papa people really don’t spread good news here. When they find some negativity the comments will flow
Ask DNO if all the comments are posted. Negative or not, some are delayed from posting. In addition, some people no longer comment for certain reasons. I will not elaborate further. Give this a thought.
An international airport we need
It should have commenced building 20 years ago. By now you would have had an international airport. Blame those responsible in that era for that.
What also is the status on the New Football Stadium being built in Stockfarm? Can someone tell me.
Are u living in Dominica?
What also happens to the old Grammar School grounds? Can one tell me.
It’s the old Grammar School grounds.
You made me laugh Good answer. It is still there and will be going nowhere. It stands still as a barrel of beef, for now anyway.
Stupes. Try and fool us again. If the designs are not complete how the hell the cost of the project is ALREADY KNOWN?
The cost of the project is unknown, what they are saying it will cost over $40 million, so you seem to be fooling yourself in believing otherwise. You can also tailor your design based on the funds you have available.
What a time to be alive! I have lived through all administrations and I have to say, that this is the most hardworking Prime Minister and government in Dominica. From the time the young man showed his face, most of us knew it; he was destined to lead. And look at all we have to show for it. He gets things done! The man knows what he’s about. Give Jack his jacket, Skerrit must go on!
Indeed! He must go on.
Man, right stockfarm? I guess that’s the closest place to Roseau with available space.
Shame, with more than 25 architects on island and other Dominican architects in the diaspora, the Government of Dominica gives an architectural contract to a Puerto Rican company.
This is a shame and disrespectful to Dominican professionals.
with $3,681,834.20 (US$1,355,160) in hand, Dominican architects cannot design a multi-purpose sports complex?
Are Dominican architects going to speak out on this insult or are they going to serve are helpers to the foreigners? Dominican architects all got their training in foreign universities and it would not be surprising if some of them studied in the same institutions like the Puerto Ricans and performed better.
This is a shame and I really cannot believe that local architects will remain mute. This was an opportunity for the government to initiate a design competition to allow the creativity of the best local architects had to offer. After all (US$1,355,160) in prize money would extract an out-of-the-world local design. SHAME
Not sure about the Puerto Rican firm but Dominican ARR-CHEE-TECTS cannot design pig pen much less a multi-sport complex in a god forbidding terrain.
Because their designs are boring, ugly and old fashioned. Just look at the “new” gramnar school smdh
I thought I was the only one who noticed, an alarming 9 % plus in design fees only. This is unheard of. …. But then again who’s going to listen. No one ever did.
Oh shut up get a life
Roosie you making a lot of sense. You sound like your “go go” who used to be the Prime Minister ?
Surely the design contract did not prohibit the use of Dominican architects! The government got the best bid, which happened to be from Puerto Rico. Are you suggesting that the government should have gone with something other than the best bid to show its support for local skills? There are plenty on this page who would then criticize the government for wasting money. Dominican architects already have the advantage of minimum travel expenses and maximum local knowledge. Acquire the best tools, market yourself, and win the bid even with a level playing field.
Development at its finest before our very eyes, yet some act blind. This government is truly holding to its promise of taking Dominica to the next level. Thankful for a dedicated cabinet of ministers in this country. Say what you want, but the government, under the astute leadership of the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is working for us!
15 YEARS AND WE AIN’T THERE YET????? They are still TAKING us….. aren’t you ashamed to mention this next level crap!!!!
AFTER 15 YEARS, this is Dominica’s economic situation;
1. slowest growing GDP and lowest GDP in the Region
2. highest unemployment rate in the region
3. giving allowances for people to buy disposal diapers (shouldn’t we be able to buy our own for our babies??? YES!!! but none of us can find employment to take charge of our responsibilities)
4. Access into the island is partially non-existent (all that money for night landing and NIGHT LANDING WAS A BUSS!!!)
5. We do not have a manufacturing industry HENCE WE HAVE NOTHING TO EXPORT! ANY COUNTRY WITH HIGHER IMPORTS THAN EXPORT HAS FAILED AT CREATING A SOUND ECONOMY
DUDE infrastructural development is good BUT WE CANNOT EAT ROAD AND BUILDINGS and we should not have to stand in lines at the financial center
Yes, yes, yes! Big big things ah gwan!
Labourrrrrrrrrrr
Issssssssssssss
Workkiinngg!
Commit to at least making bridge in bagatelle smfh.. 2yrs now people still crossing river
This is big! Looking forward to it.
All that money just for a an architectural design ? where is the beef ?, what about the real building ? we are being taken for a another wild ride fasten up your seat belt DOM–INICANS ,just like they promise that Roseau was gonna be a new city with side walks for the disable.
The architectural design phase of the over $40-million project is expected to take four months.