Performing Arts building ready for CHOGM

Trinidad and Tobago's new National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain opens Monday in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which takes place later this month.

Prime Minister Patrick manning is scheduled to formally open the facility Monday. However, the grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 27.

The imposing structure was built by the Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), which had to speed up the project to complete it time for CHOGM.

The government has not given a final cost. Two years ago former culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams gave the cost as $358 million.

The SCG has also built the Prime Minister’s residence and diplomatic centre, refurbished the old Piarco airport terminal for the Fifth Summit of the Americas last April, and is currently building the Ministry of Education Tower.
The structure covers hearly half a million square feet and includes a 1,500-seat performance hall, practice halls, teaching rooms, state-of-the-art lighting and sound and a lavishly landscaped surroundings.