the National Sports Centre after a meeting set for today.

Chairman of the Centre's Board of Trustees, Donald Lines, told The Royal Gazette last night that the board had agreed on the contracts to be awarded, but needed the Minister's signed approval.

Centre manager Clifford Wade declined to comment on the contracts and directed all inquiries to the project's architects at Johnston Sport Architecture in Victoria, Canada.

The electrical work involved at this stage of the development includes installing pumps under the stands and lighting.

The original deadline for tender applications was extended by ten days after a poor response from local contractors.

In February, 1998, Mr. Lines vowed an "open book'' policy for the Centre's phase-by-phase construction.

He said all purchasing and sub-contracting would be based on competitive tendering that would even include reading each bid aloud.

The majority of the stand is being fabricated in Winnipeg and the precast concrete sections, which are over 50 feet long, will be shipped to the Island and assembled on site.

As reported in the 500 day report produced by Government: "During the past 500 days, tenders have been sought to complete the northern fields including the perimeter jogging/cycling track, fencing and northern fields pavilion, etcetera. It is hoped that the time frame for completion of these facilities will be as scheduled and remaining phases, including the southern grandstand, will hopefully not be unduly delayed by the current construction boom.'' Tenders have also been invited for the following sub-contracts for the new grandstand to be erected at the south sector of the National Sports Centre, on the west side of the existing sports track: membrane roofing, waterproofing membrane, doors, frames and hardware, aluminium framed skylights and windows, kitchen equipment and stadium seating.

Tenders should be received from experienced contractors by no later than 2 p.m. on August 14 at the offices of the National Sports Centre at Stadium Cottage at the corner of Frog Lane and Parsons Road.

Once up and running, the Centre, which is expected to be completed by late 2001, will employ about 70 people.

It is expected to cost $46 million and will include a world class cricket pitch, an artificial turf field, a walking/cycling track around the pitch and state of the art facilities for gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and aquatics.