The transformation of Joe Vieira Park on the West Bank of Demerara will take some 20 months to complete, according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Minister, along with the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan spoke about the project during the National Clean-up and Beautification Campaign that was led by President Irfaan Ali yesterday morning in Region Three.
Indar said that the park will be rebuilt into something “very, very attractive” not only for the region but for the entire country. He also reminisced on the pre-Covid traditions of Easter celebrations at the venue.
DPI said that the project which will start this year will cost in excess of US$11 million. It is being funded by the Chinese government as Guyana and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
Ambassador Guo reiterated that the park will be renamed the Guyana-China Friendship Joe Vieira Park. She said that the park will be built with an aim of providing a public place for families and would not only have recreational activities but cultural events as well.
She also said that the park’s concept reflects the government’s people-centred development approach.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of China—Guyana friendship, our relationship, and we cherish our friendship and cooperation very much.”
Once completed, the venue is expected to have a China-Guyana Friendship Guyana Monument, an amphitheatre, a picnic lawn, a stand canopy over a pond, twin pavilions, and grounds for football, tennis and basketball.
On January 25th this year when the agreement was signed between Guyana and China, acting Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission and National Parks Commission, Jason Fraser stated that the Joe Vieira Park has always provided a space for recreation especially during holidays.
“This project will enhance the space and provide the equivalent of what the National Park is to the people of Georgetown for the most part, to the people of West Demerara and beyond,” he said, while adding that the design ensures that the green spaces are retained while also providing areas for sports.
