Too expensive to build? Blame it on Cricket
The number one reason building a house on St. John has gotten so expensive is the cost of concrete. We’ve heard all sorts of excuses for why concrete costs have gone so wildly out of control and why concrete is so hard to get. Some of them plausible, some ridiculous. “It’s all going to China.” “OSHA shut down the plant.” “A speed boat hit the barge and it sunk to the bottom of the ocean.” “There’s no sand.” “A guy died.”
Here is the latest excuse for why concrete is hard to get. Cricket. Yep. Cricket. The ICC Cricket World Cup is being held at several venues down-island, “and all the islands are building new stadiums.” That’s as good as any excuse we’ve ever heard! It’s hardly “all of the islands”, but quite a few (including one being built…by China.) See for yourself here.
February 13th, 2007 09:45
“Cricket World Cup”? Who knew… I can tell you that our latest invoice for our little Reef Madness Villa project in Coral Bay has concrete coming in at $800/cubic yard… Makes me feel like smacking a ball through a wicket…
February 13th, 2007 11:01
Don’t forget about all the concrete in Dubai. A lot of it is really going there and china. My father’s company is dealing with the Chinese side of things; trying to get toilet factories made in China (of all things).
Having never been to the islands in the article, I find the thought of stadiums being built to be somewhat amusing. Imagine a stadium on St John. Would they build it vertically or would Cruz Bay just have to go away for ever?
February 13th, 2007 13:54
YIKES!!! $800 a cubic yard!?!?! I need to start a concrete smuggling ring!