Ethan Thorpe, a young resident of Wotton, Christ Church, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to the refurbished Maria Holder Independence Park, yesterday.
These young residents wasted no time in testing the new swings at the refurbished Wotton Play Park, yesterday.
Facelift for Wotton park
THE contribution of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust to the development of Barbados has now become historic.
This is according to Dr. Denis Lowe, Minister of the Environment and Drainage, as he lauded the local charity for the tremendous work carried out across the island over the last seven years.
His comments came during yesterday’s re-opening of the National Conservation Commission (NCC) Wotton Play Park, made possible through the Trust.
“You may never know how significant a contribution and an impact you have made to the Government of Barbados,” Dr. Lowe expressed.
The refurbishment of the Christ Church park is the first of 11 across the island. As a gift to the nation, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Independence, one park in every parish will be receiving a facelift – through the gift of US$550 000 to the NCC from the Maria Holder Memorial Trust.
Christopher Holder, Chairman of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, revealed that hopefully by year-end the 11 parks will be completed – adding value to the various communities.
“The Maria Holder Memorial Trust is here to do good for Barbados,” he stressed.
“We are focusing on children, early childhood development and the elderly. I am delighted with the schools programme… and we are in advanced talks with the Government about work at the Geriatric Hospital.”
He also reiterated the call of NCC General Manager, Keith Neblett, to the residents of Wotton and surrounding areas, to take care of the facility.
“Use the park, develop community spirit, have lots of fun, but please maintain it,” Holder expressed.
MP for Christ Church East Central, the Hon. Ronald Jones, also took the opportunity to thank the Trust.
He recalled that the Wotton park had been in operation for some time, but not to such a high standard.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the Maria Holder Memorial Trust for this fine gesture.
“I am pleased that here at Wotton, in the constituency of Christ Church East Central, is the first for these refurbished parks.” (TL)