Chinese Government provides RMB 38 million grant for Gray’s Green Community Centre Project

Project narrative

On October 23, 2013, the Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda signed letters of exchange, codifying an RMB 38 million ($6.7 million) grant commitment for the Gray’s Green Community Centre Project. The purpose of the project was to construct a comprehensive sports and community complex at Knuckle Block in Gray’s Farm. The project site covers 3000 square meters of land and contains a multipurpose community center, an indoor basketball court, a covered parking area (that can be utilized as a flee market on weekends), and other amenities. The 23th Metallurgical Construction Group Co., Ltd. was the contractor responsible for implementation. A formal groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 26, 2016. However, the project encountered implementation delays, which required that the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Works of Antigua and Barbuda sign a project extension agreement in July 2018. Construction was reportedly not complete until August/September 2019. However, a formal project handover ceremony took place on April 15, 2019. There was significant public backlash against this project after completion, as many were upset that the indoor basketball court was just a covered court and that the promised indoor stadium seating was non-existent. Many were unhappy that the project over-promised and under-delivered.