A multi-purpose gymnasium is on the drawing board for South Andros. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis outlined plans for the facility to be constructed at The Bluff at a cost of $500,000 during a stopover visit to the island recently.
In addition to hosting indoor games of tennis, volleyball and basketball, the gymnasium will also serve as a hurricane shelter. Construction is expected to begin within the next two weeks and is anticipated to take three to four months to complete.
“They have little facilities now. This is but one of the planks of our Charter of Governance -- to ensure that we have provisions for young people to participate and hone their skills in any discipline of sport going forth in each of the islands” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“It is anticipated that we will soon have another Bahamas Games and it’s not fair for the Family Island participants not to have the same facilities to at least train and to be able to enhance their skills and talents as those in Nassau.”
He said the gymnasium would provide the “proper” infrastructure to allow for the enhancement of talents for young people in the Family Islands.
The Hon. Picewell Forbes, the Bahamas’ Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Caribbean Community, said, “This is the beginning of a process to allow the people in our home town communities to feel they are a part of the sporting arena in a meaningful way. This will also serve as a community center in cases of natural disasters such as hurricanes.
“This will allow all of the high schools and also all of the other schools to use these facilities. Major events for example concerts and community town meetings will be housed here properly.”
Community leaders involved in the construction of the gymnasium include Caroline Stuart, chairperson; Fairdale Smith, chief councilor; Gregory Knowles, administrator; Kendal Taylor, coach; and Basil Rolle.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis (far left) views the site of the multi-purpose gymnasium for South Andros. Also shown far right is the Hon. Picewell Forbes, the Bahamas’ Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Caribbean Community, and other members of the community.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis speaks about plans for a multi-purpose gymnasium in South Andros. The Hon. Picewell Forbes, the Bahamas’ Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Caribbean Community is also shown at far left. (BIS photos/Patrick Hanna)
By Kathryn Campbell | Bahamas Information Services
