-as government pushes major upgrades at several community grounds

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

AS the transformational era continues in Region Six and throughout Guyana, community grounds within the region are continuing to undergo major enhancements as part of ongoing efforts to provide residents, particularly young people, with improved spaces for sports, recreation and community activities.

Several grounds throughout the East Berbice-Corentyne region have already benefitted from upgrades, including improved playing surfaces, lighting and other supporting infrastructure aimed at making the facilities safer, more accessible and suitable for regular use.

At the same time, several new recreational parks are slated for development across the region, further expanding the range of public spaces available to families and communities.

The planned developments are expected to incorporate recreational and sporting facilities while creating welcoming spaces where children, youths, families and other residents can gather, exercise and participate in community activities.

The continued investment in community grounds and recreational parks is also expected to strengthen sporting development at the grassroots level by providing young athletes with better facilities to train, compete and develop their talents.

Member of Parliament, Zamal Hussain, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, stressed that government is continuing the enhancement programme it started several years ago on grounds in the region.

“The vision of His Excellency, the President, was to ensure that we do landfilling, fencing of the ground, washroom facility, a pavilion at these facilities and also a walk way around some of the grounds to ensure that we capture every single person in our community…,” he said.

He explained that President Dr Irfaan Ali wants to ensure grounds are outfitted with all the amenities. “Right now, we want to ensure that the ground if it is suitable for cricket …. have the necessary infrastructure…the pitches, [and we] enhance the 30-yard circle or the circle for playing of cricket at every ground.”

He added that the President’s vision is centred on ensuring that “we develop these grounds to a position whereby we will be having cricket playing at various grounds where cricket is supposed to be played and then if not, the ground will be used for other sports like volleyball, basketball and even sometimes soccer and recreational parks.”

Hussain then pointed out that some of the grounds have adequate space to facilitate all of the activities together at once. “For example, if you go Courtland, at Courtland Ground there is already a basketball court, there is already a volleyball court, there is already infrastructure to do cricket. So, all of these are being captured in one community.”

Further, he added that the government is working to ensure that all of the grounds are at the same standard.

Having visited a number of grounds earlier this week, Hussain recalled that “Angoy’s Avenue is a typical example of how such a facility can have multiple uses. He said at that ground, there is a boxing gym, a space for persons to practice cricket and football and at the same time, students use one of two pavilions for academic purposes.

“So, this is what we are looking at. We have the community making use of these spaces.

Importantly, the Number 63 Beach has seen a major upgrade. Raj Lakeram from the Upper Corentyne area, spoke about the remarkable pace of development in Region Six.

“We are witnessing a remarkable, historic transformation. Through the visionary leadership of our First Lady, Arya Ali, and the National Beautification Project, Number 63 Beach is being reborn into a premier, modern recreational park and a major international tourism hub,” he said.

According to him, using a Xcode to the beach front, one will see “that we are already roughly 85 per cent complete. The progress is clear and visible. What was once bush is now a vibrant public space featuring structured concrete picnic benches, serene relaxation zones, and beautifully constructed gazebos and benabs with colorful roofing.”

He explained that recently a brand-new asphaltic road was put in place along the stretch that runs parallel to the shoreline. This he emphasised will ensure smooth access.

“We are installing critical lighting infrastructure, clean sanitary facilities, a children’s playground, and designated vending shops to empower local small businesses.

“This development is a collaborative triumph. It represents the seamless partnership between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Tourism, and our own Regional Democratic Council. Moreover, our NDC remains deeply committed to keeping this space immaculate. Our dedicated pathway workers clean the road reserves and walkways daily, and we are working hand-in-hand with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority to ensure proper drainage and maintenance of the surrounding catchment areas,” he added.

He stressed that the Number 63 Beach is no longer just a local weekend spot, pointing out that it is being elevated to match international standards, perfectly complementing mega-projects like the Palmyra Stadium and the upcoming Corentyne River Bridge to Suriname.

“We are opening our doors wide to beachgoers from across the coast, our Caribbean neighbours, and international tourists,” he said.