Cricket authorities in the USA ? Bermuda?s chief rivals in the bid to host World Cup matches ?are going all out in their effort to bring the competition to that country in 2007.

Broward County commissioners in Florida have given the Lauderhill bid committee approval to build a US$30 million cricket stadium and park ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2007.

The centrepiece of the park will be a 5,000-seat cricket stadium that bid officials have identified for use should the USA be successful in their World Cup quest.

Bermuda and the USA are the only regional two associate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking a slice of the World Cup pie when the West Indies host the cricket spectacle in three years? time.

Demolition work for the new facility began on Wednesday after county commissioners approved the plans for the park in central Broward County that will also house a cultural centre, water playground, recreational lake and nature trails with visitors entering around a circular waterfall.

?This is a major park in a community that generally has been neglected,? County Administrator Roger Desjarlais told the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.

?This will be a world-class recreational facility that takes into consideration all of the cultures of the area. It?s one of the projects of which I will be most proud.?

The new stadium and park is expected to be completed by September, 2006.