The Minister told MiyVue.com that Cabinet approved the construction on 11th October.
According to Phillip, The delay of the project was due to the fact that the government is partnering with an outside group from San Francisco, United States, who are responsible for funding the facility.
“However, the government will also have its own input with regards to raising some of the funds,” Phillip added.
Port Zante is the proposed site for construction of the 2,500 capacity complex. The facility is expected to cost in excess of US$5 million.
Upon completion, the facility will be home to sports such as Basketball, Volleyball and Netball. A section has also been designed to host cultural events.
“Let me say this is something that is well needed for the basketball fraternity, because they have been awaiting this for several decades and as long as I am here as the Minister for sports, this is something I am going to be working on tirelessly,” the former national basketball player stated.
At present most of the major basketball events are staged at the old facility on Victoria Road, while netball is played at Warner Park. Volleyball however, over the years has been a nomad sport, constantly in search of a home that they can call their own. After sharing the basketball facility for many years, they are currently on borrowed time and space in the Pam Tyson Netball Complex, in Warner Park.
The decision to construct this new sporting complex, which is more suitable to netball, basketball and volleyball, is one that has been embraced by sport administrators and players.
Such a complex would eliminate the disruptions that are experienced annually, due to rain, affecting the completion of matches in all three of the sporting disciplines.