Nelson Mandela Bay‘s 2010 World Cup stadium will not be delayed as a result of the global financial crisis, with the municipality reporting that construction is ahead of schedule.

The assurance comes after Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile expressed fears that the stadium would not meet its initial March 31 deadline.

“Nelson Mandela Bay is no longer a host for the Confederations Cup, therefore there is no March 31 deadline to meet,” municipal spokesman Lourens Schoeman said.

“The stadium will be ready for the rugby match between the British Lions and a Coastal Unions side on June 16.”

Despite a number of construction firms having closed for the Christmas period, work at the multi-purpose stadium continues at no extra cost to the municipality.

“The main contractor is on schedule and only contractors behind schedule are currently working to make up for lost time at no cost to the client,” Schoeman said.

The initial cost of the stadium had been estimated at R250-million, but rose to R1,2-billion in January last year; and currently the budget for completion stands at R1,95-billion, of which the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will have to pay 10 percent.

The balance of the costs will be carried by the national and provincial government “on a sliding scale”.

“Progress with construction at the stadium has been moving at an impressive rate with the playing area fully grassed, the players‘ change rooms completed, 40 000 of the 44 000 seats already installed and 30% of the roof completed.

The lighting infrastructure is being installed as work on the roof progresses,” said Schoeman.

The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and the 2010 World Cup local organising committee have distanced themselves from any possible mediation bid to avert a strike at the Port Elizabeth stadium