By Clint Chan Tack Thursday, November 5 2009

THE Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s is being expanded with the construction of a new building.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister indicated: “This is the final facility to complete the annexure to the compound of the official residence and Diplomatic Centre. These now include media and drivers’ lounges and garage facilities. The structure which was part of the original concept provides for a stage, dressing room for artistes, a holding area, toilet facilities for performers and guests, storage of equipment such as tents and tables etc.”

The Diplomatic Centre’s ballroom only accommodates 250 guests and the new structure will enable 1,000 persons to be assembled in open air, whenever occasions arise for appropriate events. Such gatherings were not possible at the former PM’s residence and this final building “will improve the functionality of the Diplomatic Centre and bring it to operating capacity as it was originally intended.” No cost was given for this new building.

The residence and Diplomatic Centre was one of several state construction projects overseen by the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott). Built by the Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) of China, the facility was originally estimated to cost $148 million. However Udecott documents which Newsday obtained in March, indicated the cost of the facility has risen to $244 million as of last December.