Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, Senator Oscar George has announced that the first round of the lighting upgrades to community playing fields on the island is complete.
He made the disclosure during a press conference on Wednesday.
“As you all know, the ministry responsible for sports has been undertaking a number of initiatives to strengthen and grow both community sports and sports at the national level,” he said. “And as I have always indicated, in order to achieve sustained benefits from sports at the national, regional, and international levels, preparations must start at the grassroots level at a young age when the interest is high among the young people.”
According to him, during various engagements last year the issue of lighting was regularly highlighted.
“I’m pleased to report that the first round of lighting upgrades to community playing fields is complete. Under this phase, lighting solutions were installed on eight community playing fields,” George said.
These areas include the Teza Grounds in Mahaut, the Grand Fond playing field, the Soufrière playing field, the Anse De Mai playing field, the Vieille Case playing field, the playing field in Grand Bay, Granville playing field, and the Bellevue Chopin playing field.
George noted that the scope of works included the construction of the concrete bases, trenching to allow for underground cables, which is consistent with the country’s resilience agenda, direction of 45-foot metal poles on the concrete bases, and installation of LED lights to the individual poles. This broad initiative cost $1.4 million.
“It is our hope that the youth, women, and even senior citizens make optimum use of these lighting interventions for leagues, tournaments, and general outdoor recreation,” he encouraged.
He continued, “As we speak, assessments are currently on the way to identify additional community playing fields that may warrant lighting upgrades.”
Furthermore, George revealed that the Government of Dominica has finalized an agreement valued at $13.8 million for the restoration of lighting at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
“This project will be funded [by] the National Lottery Commission and will be executed by Prabha International Inc, a reputable sports lighting company based in Canada [that] has been contracted to execute the lighting project at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.”
Last week, the company’s president, Rajnesh Walia, met with officials from the Ministry of Sports, the Dominica Lotteries Commission, the Customs and Excise Department, the Electrical Division, the National Sports Council, and other stakeholders to discuss the scope of works and project expectations.
The project is scheduled to commence this month and is expected to create employment opportunities for up to 70 Dominicans.
Moreover, he said an initial mobilization payment of US$1 million has already been paid to the contractor and will include payments for the procurement of anchor bolts, rebars, foundational works, and the commencement of shipping.
“So in the coming weeks, we will start to see movement taking place at the Windsor Park,” George revealed. “We expect the first set of containers to arrive mid-month June, and we expect towards the end of the month in June that work on the foundation for the poles will commence.”
George went on to state that the ministry is also advancing key sporting facilities implemented under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) project.
“ One such project is the complete upgrade of the Trafalgar basketball court, which is advancing very well as we speak,” he noted. “As we know, Trafalgar is known as one of the most prominent communities when it comes to basketball. And I believe that this upgrade will certainly create better opportunities for the youth in that area.”
He added, “This upgrade includes a media center, covered seating, washrooms, change rooms, new markings, uprights, and perimeter fencing. This project is to the tune of $920,000.”
George pointed out that another sporting project currently being implemented under the BNTF Cycle 10 is the upgrade to the Delices Playing Field, “to include the construction of a small pavilion, change room, and the grassing of the playing surface. Again, this is progressing well and is at a tune of $870,000.”
Another popular venue he mentioned, in the southeast, was the Castle Bruce playing field.
“The intention under this project is to get Castle Bruce to a level of a regional playing field to include leveling, retaining structures, drainage, construction of a proper pavilion and washroom facility,” he explained. “ Once finalized, this will be a great addition to the Southeast because as we all know, the Southeast has been producing excellent athletes and sporting teams over the years.”
thanks for reporting. but you’re not getting a pat on the shoulder for something you should have been doing for donkey years. y’all have been in government for almost 30 years now. it’s your duty and your job to do so. should we clap every time a teacher corrects homework, or should we sing praises every time a doctor cleans a wound? no! why? because it’s their job. so do your job young man. and keep your head low. you are a public servant, and serve Dominica like we all do.
What A Shame,you are a complete Jack are or you do not live in Dominica,but again UWP supporters are like parrots repeating what they hear.Young people are excelling in sports than at any other time in the history of Dominica.Cycling,long jump,Boxing,netball,volleyball,basketball,soccer,cricket.It is only now,under the Labour party government that people can leave their homes and go watch sports at night,cricket,soccer or basketball..You and Thompson Fontaine were shamelessly watching soccer at the Skerrit Stadium at Windsor Park.How many cricketers represented West Indies during the dictatorial reign of UWP?Under Labour, Hodge,Athanaze,Pascal and Tyson.SHAMELESS.
@the CLOWN
How can a clown understand english?
This is the first government in the history of Dominica, that has been so anti sports and anti young people. See what you all have done to playing fields in several communities islandwide starting in Bellevue Chopin. Since after the total destruction of the playing field, sports on a whole died in the community. WICKEDS! In other communities, the same has been done. Stop messing around with the future of the young people. This government has had the most money resources of all Dominicas government, but has done the least for its people. What a shame!
Excellent comment. I played cricket in Bellevue Chopin, against other teams from the South. Skerrit planted two big building in the centre of the field. Now he has lights on a 2 by 4 space space where no cricket can be played. He killed sports in the community.
What Wickedness!
This clan of hyenas masquerading as a government only focus is to enrich themselves while the sporting and other facilities around the country crumble .
Looking at the most recent CARIFTA Games, Dominica had one of the smallest contingent and only could capture one medal in javelin as this discipline was poorly represented (hardly any athlete contested this particular event).
Dominica was once the Mecca of sports in the sub-region. ( Champions in cricket, basketball, football, netball) etc. Now, Dominica is but a mere skeleton of its former self. BAD GOVERNANCE!!!
When will work on the modern athletic track & field stadium begin? The young people want to know.
How is it that all the other independent islands in the OECS have with the only exception being Dominica? Why is Dominica always has to be the odd one out?
The gross incompetence, lack of vision and bureaucratic inertia of the Roosevelt-led regime, the local athletes are being deprived of fully tapping into their innate potential. Must Dominica always be at the rear in everything desirable?