SLC mull shifting second England Test to SSC
View(s):SLC mull shifting second England Test to SSC as R Premadasa Stadium undergoes renovation
But two pavilions of the popular Colombo venue pose threat to safety of spectators
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is mulling shifting the second Test of the two-match Test series against England to the popular SSC grounds as country’s premier limited over venue R Premadasa Stadium, will go through a face-lift following recommendations by the University of Moratuwa.
The second Test scheduled to be played at R Premadasa, would be first since Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in a Test in 2017, but the renovation work has forced SLC to look for an alternative.
“We do not want to do it in a hurry,” said SLC president Shammi Silva. “So we are now looking at alternatives to host the second and final Test. We are seriously considering shifting it to SSC.”
However, an integrity assessment of the popular Colombo venue found that the pavilion blocks A and B force a serious threat to the safety of the spectators and has advised Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to close the two pavilion blocks until repairs have been completed. In addition, stairways of pavilion C and D and the roof also need urgent renovation, given the deterioration in these places, the report adds.
Built over 30 years ago, the venue went through a multi-million rupee upgrade ahead of the 2011 Cricket World Cup which Sri Lanka co-hosted with India and Bangladesh but according to the assessment report, the venue has suffered serious structural deterioration during the last five years and hence needs urgent renovation before opening it up for spectators.
“We got an assessment done through the University of Moratuwa and their advice is very clear. We cannot risk the lives of people by not renovating the place,” said Silva.
The assessment report compiled following a detail investigation on the two pavilion buildings in question states that though the building is structurally adequate, the precast slabs used for some areas of the tiers show fully carbonation, low strength, severe reinforcement corrosion, and instability.
“Hence many areas of these two pavilion blocks are unusable until repairs are fully effected. Further it is strongly recommended to evacuate the two buildings until repairs are completed since the conditions of the buildings can seriously affect the safety of the occupants,” the report reads.
In pavilion C and D, the report says that all staircases have undergone severe deterioration due to corrosion of steel members and it needs complete replacement to use the upper level of the buildings.
SLC said the tender has been awarded for a sum of Rs 395 million to a local contractor to begin work by next week but believe hosting England could be too much of an ask. Out of the estimated cost, approximately, the project managers have estimated Rs 100 million each to pavilions A and B while D and other areas will cost the balance amount.
The fee does not include the 6 percent consultancy fee, 1.5 percent project manager’s fee, 10 percent contingencies and 8 percent price contingencies.