Two recreational grounds in south Georgetown were on Friday commissioned by the Department of Culture Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education as a part of its Community Grounds Enhancement Project.
The grounds at Freeman Street, East La Penitence and Guyhoc Park were rehabilitated at an estimated cost of $1.5 million and are equipped with seating and LED energy saving lights.
The grounds have been cleared of vegetation and filled with white sand. Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry said that in the future they would be upgraded to provide better facilities for residents.
At a simple commissioning ceremony, Coordinator of the Community Grounds Enhancement Project Randolph Critchlow said that the department was enhancing community grounds around the country to provide recreation areas for citizens.
Currently, he announced, they are rehabilitating the Tucville Secondary School Ground at a cost of $7.5 million and creating a recreational spot in North/East La Penitence. Work on the Tucville ground is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Minister Henry said work on the grounds was part of the broad picture of her government fulfilling its promise of a better life for Guyanese.
The grounds on which major work has been completed and would be opened at the end of the year, include some on the East Bank Demerara, in regions 5 and 6 and in the hinterland.
She added that they are working to upgrade grounds which are below minimum standard before proceeding with any other upgrades. “Once we recognise that all the grounds we are working [on have reached] a minimum standard we will go beyond that to do upgrading…,” she explained.
The government, she said, would be paying the cost of electricity for the grounds.
The objective of the project, Henry highlighted, is to provide a safe place for citizens to “mix and mingle” and bring people of communities together.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, who also spoke briefly at the commissioning, welcomed the initiative. She said that in 2017 the Mayor and City Council will approach the ministry to collaborate on further developing open spaces in the city.
