Infrastructural repairs to the tune of $5 million are being planned for several community facilities across Tobago in fiscal 2016.
Assistant Secretary of the Division of Community Development and Culture Ancil Dennis made the disclosure yesterday (August 10) during the weekly post Executive Council media briefing at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall. He said these facilities include Youth Zones (Y-Zones), community centres and two pan theatres.
“There were a number of challenges at the Youth Zones, infrastructural challenges,” Dennis said. “Works have begun at all six Youth Zone facilities and those works are expected to be completed in the next three weeks.”
The repair programme features Y-Zones in the following communities: Speyside at a cost of $91,000; Calder Hall ($33,000); Plymouth ($41,000); Carnbee-Mt. Pleasant ($35,000); Argyle ($120,000); and L’Anse Fourmi ($88,000). The work at Argyle’s Y-Zone will include redesigning its septic tank and soakaway system.
The Division has also approved repairs for community centres across the island. The Whim Community Centre ($723,000), Goodwood Community Centre ($882,000), Hope Community Centre ($980,000), and Buccoo Multipurpose Community Facility ($232,000) are all earmarked for upgrades, along with the Katzenjammers ($885,000) and Carib Dixieland ($863,000) pan theatres.
The Division will also “revise the whole process of the management of those Youth Zones.” The Assistant Secretary indicated the Y-zones will be up and running within the next few months, and will offer programmes and activities to Tobago’s youth respective of their communities. The Y-Zone at Mason Hall, Dennis said, continues to operate, and “didn’t have any infrastructural challenges.”
Dennis said the Division met with Goodwood residents on Tuesday (August 9) to inform them of upcoming plans for the Goodwood Community Centre. That work will soon begin and should be completed in a maximum eight weeks.
“Some of the works will include a ceiling to be installed, new computers, networking and accessories, new air conditioning should be installed as well, a changing room and cafeteria area, burglar proofing and some plumbing works,” Dennis said.
He said a similar meeting was held at Hope Community Centre to update the community on work at the Centre, which will include “painting, tiling, refurbishment of the kitchen area and a number of other areas.”