Following Cabinet's agreement to accept the recommendation of the Ministry with responsibility for Sports for the Government to enter into an agreement with the principals of C2C Limited represented by Mr. Alton Urban, to develop a Project to establish the Antigua Sports Village, the joint agreement was signed today - Friday August 10th, 2012 - at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The agreement will grant the right to the project team to proceed with formulating the project to construct the Antigua Barbuda Sports Village.

Once all the relevant requirements have been meet it is anticipated that a Company, the Antigua Sports Village Inc, in which both C2C and Government will be major shareholders will follow through on the construction of the Village.

In keeping with our usual practice to engage our key stakeholders in the planning and implementation processes, consultations are scheduled to begin in the latter half of August, 2012. The project team has been given a specific time frame within which to complete the planning process to include financing.

A copy of the agreement can be reviewed by clicking here.

While the concept of the Sports Village has been on the table since the construction of the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds, the genesis of this specific proposal from Alton Urban, emerged from consultations held with all major stakeholders in the first half of 2009 when the Office of the Minister of State: Sports, Local Government and Special Projects compiled its Strategic Plan entitled, 'Continuing the Promise'. Stakeholders were invited to submit proposals for consideration which would fulfill or assist in realizing one or more of the five main areas of the Plan.

The Antigua Sports Village Proposal, as submitted by Alton Urban from C2C is one such initiative. As was the case for all other initiatives under the Plan to date, following initial discussions with Mr. Urban was asked to refine his idea and return with a proposal for the consideration of the relevant government authorities to determine whether it would be approved for moving to the next level. Mr. Urban followed through on the requirements.

It is expected that this phase of the project will result in a comprehensive plan designed to not only increase the level of participation and performance in sports and recreation, but also assist in developing the sector into an economically viable one.

In its preliminary concept, it is anticipated that the Antigua and Barbuda Sports Village will be constructed on lands surrounding the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.

This establishment is expected to provide quality venues for a number of indoor and outdoor sports as well as conferences, training and conventions. The project design should be one which produces an economically sustainable product.

Also on hand to sign the agreement on behalf of C2C Design was Mr. Keith Gill. The Government signatories were the Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Sports and the Director of Sports. Also unveiled at the signing were the Antigua Sports Village Inc. logo and banner. Polo Shirts and an investor package were also presented to Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. Winston Baldwin Spencer and other Government representatives present at the ceremony.