 |
| Jagmohan Dalmiya |
Calcutta: The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s high-powered inspection team, which visited the Eden Gardens on Monday, has given a thumbs up to the venue.
Specifically, the three-member inspection team (Campbell Jamieson, Chris Tetley and Prof. Eugene van Vuuren) has, in its report, said: “On the basis that the work continues to completion and there will be resolution to the operational matters … it is recommended that the three matches slated for Eden Gardens are held as scheduled.”
The games in question are South Africa versus Ireland on March 15, The Netherlands-Ireland on March 18 and Zimbabwe versus Kenya on March 20. Of course, gone for good is the India-England match, which was scheduled to be held on February 27.
A copy of the meticulously compiled report, supposed to be confidential, reached The Telegraph late on Tuesday. Officially, the ICC issued a press release, quoting chief executive Haroon Lorgat as saying: “We are pleased with the progress made since January 25 and if that pace of work is maintained, we believe the stadium will be ready for the games in March.”
Jagmohan Dalmiya’s Cricket Association of Bengal met 9 of the 10 targets fixed for February 7, besides reaching 9 of the 11 set for February 14. Additionally, of the 24 targets for February 22, 11 have already been met.
The inspection team’s report reads:
The purpose of the inspection was to assess the progress of construction against the programme provided by the CAB in response to a schedule of requirements provided by the ICC in its report dated January 30 , 2011. This assessment was conducted to enable a recommendation to be made as to the staging of the three matches:
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
There has been a significant amount of work undertaken at the venue since the previous inspection.
The CAB programme indicated that the venue would be completed by February 7.
Whilst progress is ahead of the ICC schedule, in some cases significantly, it is not complete at this time and there remains work to be completed. This is acknowledged by the CAB.
Matters outstanding include the following:
Confirmation that the event accreditation programme can be implemented at the venue as outlined in the accreditation policy
Finishing of the stadium including electrical points, levelling and securing of the surfaces of the concourse in several areas
Cleaning of the venue
Delivery of the agreed stand and hospitality tickets to ICC and confirmation of the exact parking spaces to be provided to ICC
Construction of a temporary In-Vision Studio for broadcast purposes (specifications to be supplied to CAB)
Confirmation of low cost clean water supply for the public (ICC to resolve with Pepsi)
On the basis that the work continues to completion and there will be resolution to the operational matters above, it is recommended that the three matches slated for Eden Gardens are held as scheduled.
GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Findings against the criteria listed in the previous inspection report:
Matter raised: The location of hospitality seating and catering for the use of event sponsors currently offered is unacceptable. Hospitality tickets must be offered in permanent hospitality facilities. Stand tickets with a temporary catering area is not appropriate.
Finding: Suitable corporate boxes confirmed in Block K (suites 2-7) and Block C (suites 1-6). This will provide sufficient space for FOC and OTB hospitality
Matter raised: Tickets for ICC sponsors, partners, players and match officials must be confirmed in appropriate quality seating and commitments provided to deliver the numbers required
Finding: The ICC ticket request has been agreed in number and location
Matter raised: Directional signage to all permanent stadium facilities erected within the venue and from gate entry points
Finding: Partially completed, will be finished without a problem
Matter raised: External signage from car parks and approach roads to gates
Finding: To be installed prior to matches
Matter raised: Sightscreens at both ends need to be raised to the level indicated in the ICC report following the December inspection
Finding: Completed satisfactorily on the day of inspection. The screens must be maintained at this size for match day
Matter raised: A suitable location for the D/L Manager needs to be confirmed. The upstairs room at the far end of the press box is not appropriate.
Finding: Confirmed to sit at the rear of the Third Umpire/Referee room
Matter raised: Confirmation must be provided that the event accreditation system can be implemented as per the policy at the venue
Finding: Not yet confirmed
Matter raised: Confirmation must be provided that all the components of the sportainment programme can be implemented at the venue
Finding: Will be confirmed once all details confirmed
Matter raised: Confirmation must be provided as to the location of the replay screen director
Finding: Confirmed in room at location of large temporary screen
Matter raised: Confirmation must be provided of the number and location of car parking passes for the use of ICC and event partners
Finding: Verbal indication of 70 passes and location acceptable
Matter raised: Confirmation must be provided that the venue has read and accepted the event commercial guidelines relating to concession stand sale of food and beverage within the venue
Finding: Agreed
Matter raised: Photographers positions are required on both sides of the ground rather than just one — locations at the north end must be confirmed
Finding: Agreed subject to confirmation by the Police. This needs to be obtained.
Matter raised: An overflow location of sufficient size for media and NRH needs to be identified and demarcated
Finding: Confirmed location in the stands immediately under the press box
Matter raised: Uninterrupted back-up power is required for the floodlights and replay screens
Finding: Confirmed. This should be tested to ensure it operates as required.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME
Assessment of progress against criteria listed in previous ICC report:
To be completed by February 7, 2011
Target: All concrete and structural steel work completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: All bulk services to the stadium (Power/Water and Sewage) installed and available. Finding: Utilities in to venue complete, not fully serviceable yet in some areas.
Target: The Main Stand with all the areas for media, broadcast, players, officials, doping control, press conference room, broadcast control room, VIP areas completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: All the above fully functional with services such as air-conditioning, power, sewage and water where relevant. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Media Centre 50% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Precinct Security Wall with entry and access gates 50% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Perimeter paving 50% completed. Finding: Achieved (plans changed for surfacing of concourse).
Target: Spectator Services (Toilets, Medical, Concessions in precinct) 50% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Internal work and finishes for Corporate Boxes 50% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Seats in all pavilions where the roofs have been completed 100%. Finding: Almost complete.
To be completed by February 14, 2011
Target: All roof construction and covering completed for all stands. Finding: Structural steel almost complete. Covering not in place (and will not be completed prior to CWC. This is not a problem).
Target: All seats in stadium fixed and in position. Finding: Almost complete.
Target: Testing of lights once the roofs are completed to conform to ICC requirements especially the edge of the FOP. Finding: Complete.
Target: Back-up systems for the lights tested and approved. Finding: Not yet tested.
Target: Manual score boards completed. Finding: Complete.
Target: Perimeter paving 75% completed. Finding: Not complete — can be achieved.
Target: Spectator Services completed 75% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Perimeter wall 75% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Corporate boxes completed 75% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Facade of stadium 50% completed. Finding: Achieved.
Target: Removal of workers accommodation units from within the venue. Finding: Achieved.
To be completed by February 22, 2011
Target: Spectator services complete. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: Replay Screen support structures installed and ready for screens to be inserted. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: Perimeter paving 100% completed. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: Perimeter wall 100% completed. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: Media Centre Completed and air-conditioning installed. Finding: Complete.
Target: Sightscreens raised to the level required. Finding: Delivered on day of inspection — to be retained.
Target: Main camera gantries extended and the ability to cover all pitches to be used. As a guide, the gantry should be 1m wider on each side than the wicket being used. Finding: Complete at pavilion end.
Target: The gantry location at the north end to be raised higher. Finding: Will be complete.
Target: Safety railings on camera gantries to be constructed. Finding: Complete (may need to be slightly raised). ESS to advise on next inspection.
Target: Low level risers on the ground for slips & reverse slips cameras. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: Poles (4) to be installed for run out cameras. Finding: Complete (ESS to verify correct alignment).
Target: Mid-wicket camera position must be located at mid-wicket without any interruption to the view of the field of play. The optimum solution was discussed during the December venue inspection as featured an elevated platform (20 ft) in front of the stand. Finding: Complete (ESS to verify correct alignment).
Target: Radio commentary box 1 & 2 relocated to the room marked as In Vision Studio. Finding: Complete.
Target: Temporary In vision studio built in space in front of the photographers working area. Finding: Should be complete once specifications provided.
Target: Roof on photographers working area tidied up and made secure. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: VOC complete and operational. Finding: Complete.
Target: Air conditioning installed in Broadcast Control Room and Production Office. Finding: Should be complete (Production office still required).
Target: All outstanding work inside and outside the stadium completed. Finding: Should be complete.
Target: CCTV installed where required under ACSU policies and requirements of security plan. Finding: Complete.
Target: Temporary furnishings and equipment installed in areas as required. Finding: Equipment in place on day of inspection — to be retained for matches: Media centre; Press box; ICC office; Hospitality facilities; Photographers work area; Venue Operations Centre.
Target: Password protected wifi internet to be installed at the required capacity in the following locations. Finding: Equipment in place on day of inspection — to be retained for matches: Press box; Media centre; TV commentary and studio areas; Photographers working area (inside and pitch locations); ICC office.
Target: Entry gates constructed and turnstiles installed and tested. Finding: Should be complete (turnstiles not being installed).
Target: Venue audio system installed to suitable specifications. Finding: Should be complete — supplier confirmed and CAB testify to quality of equipment.
Target: Confirmation of suitably secure and sized location for satellite up-link. Finding: Should be complete
It should be possible for event suppliers to come on-site and undertake the specific pre-event preparation that is necessary ahead of the matches scheduled for the venue.
