October has arrived without the promised handover of Antigua and Barbuda’s National Performing Arts Centre, wiping away a critical month-long buffer for testing and preparations before the venue welcomes Commonwealth leaders in November.
The government had repeatedly maintained that the flagship facility at the former Deluxe Cinema on High Street would be delivered by September 30, giving organisers approximately one month to prepare the building for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for November 1 to 4.
But Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing that the deadline was not met.
According to Merchant, the latest delay involves certification for materials required to suspend speakers and other multimedia equipment from the roof of the building.
The certification must be secured before the equipment can be safely installed.
Merchant indicated that the building itself is substantially ready, suggesting that the outstanding work is centred on the technical installation rather than major structural construction.
