Its rare shape and design attract the attention of many. Four hundred Chinese workers toiling from sunrise to sunset to ensure that the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain is completed in time for the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month. Surrounded by controversy, the countdown to completion of the academy is on. The scheduled date for hand over to Government is November 9, mere days before the CHOGM cultural ceremony. The interior design of the academy has been kept secret for several months with a view to silencing detractors when it is officially commissioned. However, Sunday Guardian had an opportunity to tour the premises last week while the Chinese workers were busy at work. The 429,093 sq ft facility comprises an academy, theatre and hotel. It was constructed to accommodate 700 performers.

Workers were seen polishing the floors of the four-storey building while others were cleaning mirrors in the change and washrooms. Not a single person was seen sitting or empty-handed. They were all hard at work. Floor and wax polishers lined the corridors of the academy. At almost every corner of the academy a mop and a piece of cloth were seen, all in preparation for the gala ceremony planned for the opening of CHOGM. Tiles, bathroom doors, door knobs, wood and plumbing fixtures were all being installed as the workers were putting on the final touches. Standing out as a magnificent piece of art is the theatre. The first of its kind in T&T, the theatre is illuminated by rays from 429 multi coloured lights which cost approximately $10 million. Three projectors, estimated at a cost of two million dollars, were seen draped across the stage.

A state-of-the-art control system estimated at $500,000 is expected to function without a glitch during performances. Furnished with 1,219 red plush chairs and outfitted with slabs of rich pieces of mahogany wood, the theatre looks similar to what is seen internationally. Patrons will have the opportunity to choose where they want to sit from among general seating, two balconies and five private boxes. To complement the exquisite structure is the wooden moving stage made up of five sections. At the end of a performance the stage may slide horizontally and vertically, allowing the next performance to take the stage without any hiccups. Impressed by the work of his company, managing director of Shanghai Construction Company Michael Zhang says, “It is really a marvellous stage. It was built especially for steel pan performances, allowing the stages to slide back and forth at the end of performances. “It is also going to work magnificently with other performances.

LEFT: Managing director of Shanghai Construction Company Michael Zhang, right, and Yu Zhang, the company’s project director proudly view the main theatre of the National Academy of Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain.

It is the only one of its kind in T&T,” Zhang boasted. The academy also includes 13 classrooms, two multi functional rooms and four offices which may be used for conferences. Zhang said the classrooms were built to accommodate performers who wanted to rehearse their scripts. There are also nine large make-up rooms and change rooms as well as three practice rooms, all catering for the performers. Fourteen public bathrooms are elegantly designed and tiled in white, grey and black and adorned with American standard bathroom fixtures. “We want when people come to this academy they are very comfortable so we have installed the highest quality in almost every fixture,” Zhang says. The academy, however, does not consist of a 60-room hotel but, in fact, 53 superior rooms which include single, double occupancy and master suites.

The rooms are shaping up to be luxurious. At the entrance of the hotel are a lobby and bar. Enhancing both corners of the hotel are two restaurants—a Western Restaurant and a Chinese Restaurant. Each luxurious room is fully air conditioned, tiled and decorated with glass etchings and fine fixtures. “We wanted this place to be first class and we are doing what it takes to make it that way. Performers are going to pleased when they use this hotel. “This academy is the best in the entire Caribbean and it is going to be ready for CHOGM. My workers know the importance of completing the building on scheduled time and it will be handed over to Government on the due date,” Zhang assures. Asked about maintenance of the academy upon completion, Zhang said his company was planning to apply for the job.

Meanwhile, Zhang also took the opportunity to point out that while his workers were responsible for the construction of the academy, $96 million was allocated to local contractors via sub contracts. “I have a very good relationship with the local contractors and I certainly look forward to doing more business with them when the academy is completed,” Zhang said. Also expressing excitement over the construction of the academy was well-known opera singer John Thomas. The singer, who is listed to perform at the cultural even said he was asked by Urban Development Corporation of T&T executive chairman Calder Hart to visit the theatre to test the acoustics. "I am totally impressed. This is totally mind blowing. It is very acoustic and I am really excited. I can hear myself very clear and I am looking forward to performing here at the cultural ceremony...I am very excited.”