Three community centres handed over for public use
Three community centres in the territory were officially handed over for public use this week after being closed for rehabilitation because of the extensive damage they sustained during the September 2017 hurricanes.
They are the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, the Gertrude & Christiana Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate — both of which officially reopened on Monday — and the Emille Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada which reopened the following day.
All the facilities have been equipped with SMART features to make them energy efficient as part of the government’s mission of sustainable development and environmental conservation.
The facilities are also equipped with resources that will be used as emergency shelters.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley noted that the European Union (EU) has been the government’s development partner for the renovations as the Union provided the funding necessary to undergo the works. He further noted that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has provided the technical oversight for implementing the projects.
All three of the aforementioned community centres as well as the West End Community Centre benefitted from a Є2 million grant for the renovations.
“It is important for me to say here that the EU has been a very consistent and supportive development partner of the Virgin Islands for over three decades,” Dr Wheatley stated.
In the meantime, Premier Wheatley described community centres as essential and intrinsic parts of the Virgin Islands.
“They are places where many of our golden citizens meet for their cultural activities and to socialise. They are the venues where community meetings happen and where non-profit organisations come together to support different community members,” said Dr Natalio Wheatley stated while speaking on the handing-overs.
“They are the venues where birthday parties, wedding receptions and other social gatherings take place. Most importantly, and as already implied, community centres throughout the Virgin Islands also serve as emergency shelters during natural disasters,” he added.
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Purcell Community center was finished so long, you government people had it locked up and not in use, u should of seen how the grass had grown up in there making it look like an abandoned building and area, now is election time everything like it’s beginning to work now but we ain’t no fools on the day we will put in who we want
same as Anegada been ready nearly a full year but only now getting opened for use!
in Sea Cows Bay. Finished years ago but closed until election time!
They open back the trap house?
We have a government free facility in the district(West End center). Was funded by a repeated tourist to the BVI and the present government still renting from cronies district office space. Her Majesty king come take over!
Not quite true. It been being used just not officially
The VG community center became a shelter for dozens of people after Irma…then after 3 years the government shut off power to try to get the people to move out (shameful to kick people when they down).
The place is no where near fixed. No work being done on it. It is clearly useful to the community.
When the power change happens after elections all these projects die. Then they sit and it costs more to finish them 10 years later. There is a need for budget approval and force government to finish things. Millions been wasted on this nonsense over the years!
Need to fix this
@ Virgin Gorda, my dear can you tell me where the VG Community Center is? As I wait on your clarification I feel lead to bring the following to light.
1. There are/were two centers in the Valley Virgin Gorda and none of them are Government owned ie they are private.
The Catholic Community Centre is owned by the Catholic church and the Ashford Waters Community Center is owned by the Virgin Gorda Mutual Society with their home office in New York City.
It is a crying shame that the Government used the latter center for more than 50 years and seemingly, has no intention of assisting in the rebuild of it. Hence it has become an eye sore to this day, six years after it was destroyed by Irma and Maria. May God help us.
The Virgin Gorda community center is in North Sound. Started by Ralph O’Neil and never finished.
CGB & Brew Bay Que paso?