The people of St. George North, particularly sportsmen and women, have reason to be pleased as a new pavilion and community centre will be erected at the Glebe.
Present for the groundbreaking ceremony today was Minister of Sports Dwight Sutherland and parliamentary representative for St. George North Toni Moore.
Sutherland pointed out that the then representative and Barbados High Commissioner to Canada, Gline Clarke, was the one that embarked on the construction of the pavilion in 2007. He said that the government intended to ensure that the aspiration of the former parliamentary representative, as well as that of the current MP, was realised.
“The work which will be conducted here represents a continuation of efforts to not only complete the pavilion but also to generally enhance the facilities of the sporting activities. It should be noted that the National Sports Council has always sought to provide improved facilities for sportspersons across Barbados,” Sutherland said.
“This morning we embark on the construction of a pavilion and also a multi-purpose hard court for the residents of the Glebe and surrounding areas.
“This pavilion and accompanying hardcourt would be available for recreational use and will provide a clubhouse for the George Park Cricket Club,” he added.
According to Sutherland, the facility which he expects to be state of the art will cater to disciplines such as football, rugby and also accommodate the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme.
He stated that the Glebe location was one of the most iconic areas in St. George and Moore concurred.
During her address, Moore said that she believes the Glebe must be recognised as the centre of everything that St. George North will produce.
“We are neighbours to the church here and then this very community centre. And I am calling it a community centre very consciously and not just a pavilion. It will be home to many more activities that we will see in this constituency,” Moore said.
She also thanked Minister Sutherland, the National Sports Council management and the board for their efforts to ensure that this was not just an election promise, but rather a commitment to the people of St. George North and the people of Barbados generally.
Moore noted that there were several other projects in the constituency that would engage her attention in the months ahead.
“At a time when we are challenged on so many fronts, we are reminded even by nature that community is what matters more than our sense of individualism,” Moore explained.
She added: “The government views community programs and sports as a conduit through which our people, especially our young people, can be empowered to live meaningful lives and be assets to our communities and our country as a whole.
This facility will be utilised to ensure the people of this constituency, the people of this parish and surrounding communities can play an integral part in our development.” (ML)
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
