Walwyn clashes with Education Minister over Belle Vue gym
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn and Education Minister Sharie deCastro engaged in a heated debate in the House of Assembly recently over the future of the Belle Vue gym, a community facility destroyed during the 2017 hurricanes.
The exchange took place as the two discussed funding for the gym’s reconstruction, a critical issue for the residents of District 6.
Walwyn questioned deCastro’s ministry’s commitment to rebuilding the gym, noting that the facility had been essential for sporting events, civic activities, and community gatherings.
“The Belle Vue gym was destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017 and has not been rebuilt,” he said. “This was a place for the entire community of District 6 to hold various functions.”
Walwyn asked deCastro whether the proposed $100 million loan facility pursued by the government included funding for the gym’s reconstruction.
He expressed disappointment with the Minister’s response, claiming she had previously indicated there were no plans for the gym’s rebuilding. However, deCastro strongly denied these claims. She clarified that she had consistently supported the gym’s reconstruction. “I must clarify that the records do not support the statement by the member for the Sixth District suggesting that I, as Minister, indicated there were no plans to rebuild the Bellevue gym,” she said.
DeCastro urged Walwyn and other members to advocate more strongly during the budget process to secure the necessary funding. She emphasised that collaboration and collective efforts were crucial in getting projects like the gym funded and completed.
“I have consistently encouraged my colleagues, including District Representatives, to advocate for funding in support of projects and programmes that affect their constituencies,” she added.
However, Walwyn stood firm on his claims, suggesting that deCastro’s earlier statements in the House implied there were no plans to rebuild the gym. He argued that, as the Minister for Education and Sports, it was deCastro’s responsibility to ensure the gym’s reconstruction, regardless of who managed the finances.
“You are the Minister for Sports in the entire country,” Walwyn stated. “So, I’m advocating to you that the Belle Vue gym needs to be rebuilt.”
DeCastro reiterated her commitment to seeing the gym rebuilt and encouraged Walwyn to continue advocating for the project. An outdoor basketball court that opened in May 2021 and features wooden bleachers has replaced the former Belle Vue gym.
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Somebody please help me to understand this, the Hon. Ms Decastro is Minister for Education and Sport, a current member of the incumbent government, is unable to say whether or not there is a plan to rebuild the gym however is trying to deflect onto Hon. Walwyn that it’s him who has to help her beg her boss Natalio Wheatley for the necessary resources to do her job. What am I missing here?
DeCastro is useless … simply useless
She is totally u**less, but she is young, she is a woman and she is FROM HERE. So that is enough for her to sit around like a f**king i**ot doing nothing and be re-elected again. We have no f**king shame!
Could not have said any better.
100%
This is what happens when you send a child to do an adult’s job. Plus, she is often clueless as to what’s happening.
Somebody, please hand the Minister of Education a life jacket or a life raft- she may need both. Advocate for funding? She appears not to be the sharpest tool in the political shed. In case she has forgotten, she’s apart of the ruling government. The budget is her government’s budget. Why is she always out there on her own ADVOCATING fir funding? What are her government’s plans and priorities?
But lets not forget who was once the minister for education… He was awful too.
For your info Myron was the BEST education minister we have EVER had. Ask any teacher. We used to be mad at the number of innovations coming from him but we came to understand it was all for the good of education. One member of the OECS once said Myrin Walwyn was the hardest working education minister in the region. When schools opened after Irma in 2017 I was shocked because I thought no way would we be ready. He made sure of all of that. I give Jack his jacket and I am no political pundit but please come off of Walwyn. Not one of them could step in his shoe.
Everyone’s talking build this, build that: airport, water supply, wastewater, schools, gym, cultural centre, libraries, ports, etc.
Is there any money? Is the $10 tourist tax money ring fenced or is it gone? Where did the $20 million raise money come from?
Where are the audits? How much budget money remains? Let’s be honest, $100 million doesn’t go far for major infrastructure projects. And if it’s a loan, it has to be paid back. And what about cost cutting? We need leadership, and I’m not seeing it.
you mean you just
got to say something negative about walwyn , ” wigo ” leave people alone , let’s not gorget U are A half breed , your dad came from the same country his parents come from . you acting like you own the country
Z?pp
what nonsense am I reading? why should the government build a community center when the focus is tourism, tourism, tourism? The tourists need better experiences and conveniences to enjoy natures little secret. we can get those high paying tourism jobs and rebuild our own community.
The fact is decastro is the best minister of education Myron legacy is building a wall and be arrested … for it
You only say she because you blind to the facts in your face.