National High Altitude Center works due next year

Aug 22, 2013

The construction of the National High Altitude Center in the highlands of Teryet will only start in February next year, according to Commissioner for Sports Omara Apitta. Apitta is in charge of the project.

By Norman Katende

  • Sh300m paid to Ministry of water to have water in Teryet (Completion December 2013)
  • Connecting power lines (Completion February 2014)
  • Engineers from UNRA formalise contract to rebuild road and bridge (Completion December 2013)
  • Sh100m paid out for compensation (Balance of sh90m released)
  • First Technical drawings done (Final drawings to be ready by October 2013)

The construction of the National High Altitude Center in the highlands of Teryet will only start in February next year, according to Commissioner for Sports Omara Apitta. Apitta is in charge of the project.

While briefing New Vision on Wednesday about the project’s progress, Apitta said that his team was working out basics that need to be in place before the actual construction starts in February next year.

On Tuesday, Prime minister Amama Mbabazi assured the nation that works on the high altitude training centre that President Yoweri Museveni had promised in the aftermath of Kiprotich’s Olympics success last year, would be expedited to develop the sport in the country.

And Apitta confirmed that plans were underway to finalise the project.

“We need so many things in place like roads, water and power and I can assure you that these are what we have been doing in the background so that by the time we start the construction, everything is in place,” said Apitta.

A road that joins Teryet to Kapchorwa must be constructed first to enable smooth transportation of materials.

Apitta said that the first set of technical drawings, which are being done by ID Forum in conjunction with Thai sports facilities construction company Yang Ma have been received by the ministry for proposed amendments.

“It’s when we get the final technical drawings that we will be ready to start the bidding process for the construction company which will do the actual building of the centre.”

Government paid sh300m to Kapchorwa district authorities for compensation and relocation of the school on the site. The high altitude centre is aimed at helping national athletes train for international meets.

It will have a three-lane track, field, swimming pool, gymnasium,  hostel and hotel.

It will facilitate football, swimming, rugby, cycling and athletics as the pioneer sports. International governing bodies of athletics, soccer and rugby also promised to support the project.

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