Community centre needed to service Haynesville community

The Haynesville, St James community is still in dire need of a fully functioning community centre, with President and founder of the Haynesville Youth Club, Peter Skeete stressing that such a facility remains critical despite ongoing community success.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY while in Suriname on a cultural exchange with 18 youth club members, Skeete welcomed the recent refurbishment of The Barbados Police Service outpost in the district, describing it as “a step in the right direction” given the longstanding relationship between the police and the community.

“For the last 20 years the Haynesville Community Police outpost played an integral part in the development of the Haynesville space. We would have started our drumming programmes there,” he said.

Skeete paid tribute to the late Constable Mark Wood, whom he described as “one of the more progressive community police [officers] that we’ve seen in this country”, noting his strong cultural influence and support for youth development.

He added that The Barbados Police Force had donated more than 90 per cent of the drums used by the club, underscoring the importance of the outpost to their operations.

“Without the usage of that post, I do not know where we would [be], because…we do not have a community centre,” Skeete said, pointing out that the only available spaces – the Melbourne Cricket Club pavilion and the Desmond Haynes Sports Complex at Holder’s Hill – are primarily cricketing facilities and not accessible for broader community use.

While welcoming the renewed police presence, Skeete stressed that it should not be interpreted as a response to rising crime.

“We are pleased that there would be a presence back there with the police, not to suggest that criminal activity has once again raised its ugly head….For a number of years we were able to provide meaningful opportunities for our young people that actually limited their participation in deviant and antisocial behaviour,” he explained.

Skeete noted that police have acknowledged a reduction in criminal activity in the area, but emphasised the importance of continued collaboration.

“The police should not only be seen as there to arrest crime, but their presence is important to play a proactive approach and to continue to work with us…to promote the change that is necessary for our community to remain stable,” he said.

Despite these gains, Skeete maintained that the absence of a dedicated community centre remains a major setback, especially given the club’s achievements.

He pointed to the club’s cultural and sporting successes, including producing a recent Richard Stoute Teen Talent winner and securing four consecutive victories in the Ministry of Youth’s block draughts competition.

“We’ve produced outstanding sportsmen in almost every sporting discipline…yet we do not have a facility that can continue to harness that,” Skeete said.

He suggested that the club’s ability to thrive despite limited resources may have contributed to the lack of urgency in addressing their request.

“Because of the success there probably is the belief that we don’t need one…if you can be so successful with a small space, then why should we [need a facility]?” Skeete questioned.

Skeete also stressed the club’s role in maintaining the police outpost, including contributing financially to its repainting and collaborating with the National Cultural Foundation on artwork created during CARIFESTA.

Emphasising the community’s continued excellence in sports, culture and education, Skeete reiterated the call for investment in infrastructure.

“Haynesville is an outstanding community…we really need a much larger space.”

(SB)