Paul’s Avenue community to get Playing Field, Pan Yard

Ideas have been brewing for the past three years, and come February 22nd, work will officially begin on the building of the Avenues Sports Club playing field.{{more}}

The Avenues United Educational Sports and Cultural Club held a press briefing on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, to update the public on the progress of the project. The project, which has two stages, is funded by the Social Investment Fund and includes stakeholders such as the Bishop’s College, High Voltage Mas Production and Rhythmix Steel Orchestra.

Phase one of the project includes the construction of a playing field behind the Bishop’s College and a Pan Yard for the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra. The second phase will focus on organizing training activities relevant to development and leadership.

Speaking at the brief meeting, Member of the Board of Governors of Bishop’s College, Lennox John, spoke about the history of sports at the school and said that the establishment of the playing field will help the institution: “All the things of this project match up with the aim of the school,” He said.

The land owned by the Incorporated Trustees of the Anglican Church was leased to the Avenues United Club, a community group of Paul’s Avenue, for a total of 40 years, with a review to be done at the end of every ten years. The official signing of the agreement will take place on February 22, after which heavy construction will begin.

Speaking to Searchlight, President of the Avenues United Club Marlon Stevenson noted that the land needed a lot of work, including proper drainage, leveling of the grounds and an initial clean up of the grounds, as, according to him, many persons used the area as a dump site. The total estimated investment is $340,000, with $250,000 coming from the Social Investment Fund and $90,000 coming from the stakeholders in the community.

The area of land is located at the back of the Bishop’s College and extends from the School for Special Needs play ground to the Kingstown Technical Institute. The land will be used for a playing field, change rooms and toilet facilities, and a Pan Yard for the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra.

Stevenson is hoping to get other business places involved in what he says will be “a highlight in the life of the community” of Paul’s Avenue. (JJ)