Green & brilliant field is re-opened!
Gone are the broken down fences, the stone strewn outfield, the trash filled ghut, the failing wooden light posts and the drainage problems. In their place, a state of the art blue and orange tiled basketball court, a full sized softball field, blue and yellow new fencing, a cricket pitch and brand new envy of the Caribbean floodlights.
Yes it took around a million dollars and six years from concept to phase one completion, but as in the words of Pastor Mervin Herbert “the complaints were heard and the prayers answered”
Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister Responsible for Sports, officially declared the field open though no mention was made of when the likes of softball, cricket and football would actually be able to start playing.
For now basketball will be active on the brand new plastic tiled court with glass, adjustable back boards and lights. “This facility will provide our young people with the opportunity to find positive chances to socialize with their peers and develop skills that will one day take them beyond this field and the shores of the Virgin Islands. Providing these opportunities will serve us well in the future and I now declare the Greenland’s field officially opened”
The Honourable Marlon Penn, Representative for the Eighth District said, ”today’s re-opening will re-kindle sports activity across the Territory and represents strength and a sense of community amongst the people of the territory” He also spoke of an economic stimulus to the community and mentioned how the field will play a major part in sports tourism going forward with local, regional and international tournaments taking place”
The NDP Government officials present were rightly proud of their achievement in turning what was described just a few short months ago as a lump of dirt” into a facility that “will give the people of the Virgin Islands, particularly young people, a sense of pride” according to the Premier, Dr Honourable D. Orlando Smith.
He went on to add that” the government is committed to building communities and giving our people a sense of pride. This project reflects that commitment and will also promote healthy attitudes amongst us all. The Greenland field also provides opportunity and camaraderie for the youths and I’m sure that some of the youngsters who get to play here will become our future leaders”
The Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Representative for the Ninth District explained to the crowd that although the general opinion was that the field had been closed in June of 2009 and laid fallow ever since, the project had in fact started back in 2006 by the then Sports Minister, Lloyd black and himself. “We worked diligently to get the project to a certain place before the 2007 elections. Dancia Penn also worked hard to move the project forward, but now through the dedication of various different “teams” we have reached the point today when it can be re-opened”
Hon. Pickering added his thanks to the now minister responsible for sports, Myron Walwyn, lauding him as a “man who gets things done”
“Several different sports were played on this field and not having it available led to many frustrations...it was sickening not to have this recreational facility operational,” he said. “I grew up on this field watching cricket and then playing softball. We didn’t have proper gloves, we had to rake rocks off the field and suffered ”bust” toes for our troubles, but we made do. This has been a long time coming, but we have it now and all of us must take care of it.”
Roy Barry, as the new Chairman of the BVI Recreation Trust, confirmed that he and his committee would ensure they had a proper maintenance plan in place. “We heard the excitement in the voice of the Deputy Premier as he spoke about the facility. The recreation trust has a shared vision with the government and we pledge to implement an effective maintenance plan.”
Project Manager, Alan Wheatley, said that the Field was for all the people of the Territory to use and be proud of. “It has taken time for many reasons.” he said. “Changes of personnel, re-designs, meeting the needs of all the associations, planning permissions and construction issues have all taken time,” he explained. “We have met the requirements of Softball to meet International Standards, we have included a cricket pitch, the field can be modified for baseball, but it is a softball field,” he noted. “When you’re watching international events like the current Baseball World Series , take a close look at what you see and you will notice that you now have a comparable facility right here in East End.”
Greenland’s although described as a softball field during the ceremony will also be available to “modified” cricket, “modified football” and a 200m running track as and when needed. Netball and further improvements to the facility including dug outs and permanent washrooms are all included in phase two.
Governor, Willaim Boyd McLeary, visiting the field for the first time said he takes a strong personal interest in sport and also welcomed the reopening of the field especially as he has “missed seeing cricket since taking up his post!”
Mrs. Dawn Herbert presented Hon. Walwyn with a basketball and with a few practice shots the Minister then hit the first basket on the new court amidst much shouting and cheering from the assembled crowd including the boys and girls from both Francis Lettsome and Willard Wheatley Primary Schools.
Earlier, groups from both schools had richly entertained with renditions of song and dance including the National Song and the hit song “I have a feeling tonight’s going to be a good night”.
And it certainly was.
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Take that VIP and them cronies!!!