Chinese Government provides grant worth XCD 55 million for George Odlum Soccer Stadium Construction Project

On September 8, 2000, the Chinese government granted a new national soccer stadium to St. Lucia in Vieux Fort, as a gift for continuing diplomatic ties with China. The total cost is close to XCD $55 million ($20 million USD) and was constructed by China National Overseas Engineering Corporation (COVEC). The stadium was named George Odlum Stadium in 2007. According to the St. Lucian government, the construction was completed and handed over on July 29, 2002, although the expected completion date was March 2002, according to the 2000 Government of St. Lucia source. The XCD $55 million was broken down into two money transfers to the Bank of St. Lucia. The first payment was XCD $20 million, which arrived at an unknown date. The second payment of XCD $35 million arrived on January 21, 2002. Notably, the stadium was poorly constructed and required an additional $5 million worth of repairs paid by the St Lucian government in 2008. According to the Government of St. Lucia, the stadium included a football field, a 400 meter synthetic track, electronic scoreboard and replay screen, treatment and warm up rooms for athletes, lighting and seating for eight thousand persons, among its features. Provisions were made for additional seating to be built later. The stadium was used in August 2002 when St. Lucia hosted the Windward Islands Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships.

Number of official sources

6

Number of total sources

12