The main reasons for cancelling the Annual Exhibition stated by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield are:

Buildings: The grandstand was destroyed, while five of the key buildings necessary for housing the array of displays and events have been extensively damaged. The maintenance yard is "wrecked". Excluding the grandstand, the estimated cost of rebuilding and repairs is in excess of $500,000.

Infrastructure: The main electrical and plumbing systems were damaged, along with fences, walls, bleachers and flagpoles. An assessment of the damage by the Ministry of Works and Engineering was delayed due to focus on other public properties that were also damaged. The Ministry usually carries out minor touch-ups to the grounds in January of each year in preparation for the exhibition; this year major work is needed.

Public safety: Ten specimen trees were lost, and while 35 mature trees were saved, their general condition and wires holding them in place pose a hazard to public safety as well as reducing parking space. With 15,000 visitors to the exhibition annually, public liability is an important issue.

Timing: All repairs, rebuilding and restoration must be complete by March 1 in order to be ready for the exhibition, scheduled for April 23-25. The Parks Department was the first department to present its damage assessment report to Works & Engineering, as well as the first to meet with insurance adjusters. However, despite this prompt action, the department was unable to commission construction work on the main buildings, and experienced difficulty in finding contractors to undertake the rebuilding. Contractors have now been found.

Scarce resources: The net cost to Government of hosting the Annual Exhibition has been increasing from $92,000 in 1995 to a high of $363,000 in 2000. To date, the Ministry and Parks have spent an additional $600,000 of current account expenditure responding to Hurricane Fabian. The anticipated cost of renovations is $505,000 with $195,000 in estimated overtime costs to prepare the grounds. Uninsured damage to beaches and parks is in the region of $1.2 million.