Dear Editor,
For years it has been my view that the Mashramani float parades should be re-routed. The route that I have come up with is this: the floats would assemble at the National Cultural Centre, preferably early in the morning, as is done in Trinidad Carnival, and then proceed along Sheriff Street, turning west into Public Road. There they would split into two, with one section going up Clive Lloyd Drive and the other passing through Kitty by way of the Public Road to allow for the placing of the costume bands and floats in order. Then the float parade would proceed along Carifesta Avenue and into the National Park Square. Of course, there would have to be some adjustment made to the north pavilion; it may even be better to construct a new pavilion that can have two flights, in addition to which a carriageway would have to be constructed. Then the float parade would leave the National Park and proceed west along Long Road turning south into Camp Street going as far as Brickdam; it would then move along Brickdam, into Homestretch Avenue and back to the Cultural Centre by evening, where the judging of the Road March Queen and King Costume Contest would take place.
Currently there are certain security considerations, such as the petrol stations along Vlissengen Road where large crowds amass, as well as having large crowds remaining after dark in the vicinity of Camp Ayanganna. Then there is the issue of the residents of Church and Irving Streets who are obstructed from exiting and entering their places of abode. The thousands of people who turn out to see the float parade and the very many persons who never get to see it, would then be able to see it in all its glory, cascading down Sheriff Street and along the sea wall. Indeed to my mind it would be showcasing our culture as well as our heritage, since the conditions would not be cramped and congested any longer; even in the National Park the parade would be over, maybe before 4 or 5 pm.
I do realize that there may be some concerns in relation to the noise as it pertains to the Georgetown Hospital, however it is my view that with the modernization of the Georgetown Hospital complex, it would not adversely affect that hospital or the one on Croal Street adversely. The route is not one which has many residential houses that would be affected, so there would be inner city activity while the National Park is cleared of the masses of people.
In relation to the National Park, aside from the construction of a bridge to the north, the carriageway, and making adjustments to the northern pavilion, the National Park Square should be made into a proper tarmac area with an asphalt surface, so it can serve as a venue for the hosting of games such as basketball, lawn tennis, volleyball, circle tennis (rounders), netball, tapeball, hockey and five-a-side football. With a good asphalt surface all that has to be done is to paint the courts for the various games once the areas are demarcated. There are already pavilions, unlike the National Stadium; even the flagpole can be taken down to make the area clear, and it could be arranged to put a flagpole anchor under the tarmac so that when there is the flag-raising ceremony, it could be erected at that time. With GT&T 10/10 softball, it could prove to be an ideal venue. I do realize that it is somewhat late to put in place all that I have recommended, but with the circuit being done about this time some of the works and financial appraisals could be undertaken, so we could look forward to an even better Mashramani next year.
Yours faithfully,
R G Venton
PRO
Guyana Billiards & Pool Association