Thanks to CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank in collaboration with the National Conservation Commission (NCC), Barbadians and visitors alike to Queen’s Park are now being greeted by welcome signage at the three entrances. Yesterday, CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director, Barbados, Donna Wellington; Mark St. Hill, Managing Director of Retail and Business Banking; and Gary Brown, Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean, unveiled the first sign at the Queen’s Gate, along with Ricardo Marshall, Special Projects Officer at the NCC.
NEW LOOK FOR QUEEN’S PARK
Sun, 05/22/2016 - 12:00am
The CIBC FirstCaribbean Inter-national Bank (FCIB) beautification of Queen’s Park project got under way yesterday.
From as early as 7 a.m., the Bank’s senior management, employees as well as their family members could be seen armed with paint and brushes, sprucing up the natural attraction.
This project to refresh and upgrade various aspects of the park in collaboration with the National Conservation Commission (NCC) will be done at a cost of $80 000, and is the Bank’s gift to the nation in the 50th year of Independence.
The FirstCaribbean staff undertook the painting and repainting of curb walls, the benches and play park. However, the initiative also entails putting in place 27 seats, including six cast iron seats, and seven bench tables on the grounds of the park.
In addition, several signs telling the history of the park will be erected. Mastermind behind the project, Mark St. Hill, Managing Director, Retail and Business Banking and Trustee with the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation, pointed out, “It is not only beautification, not only about bringing our staff together to recognise the 50th year of Independence, but it is also about leaving a legacy and leaving an educational piece for anyone walking through the Park to understand the role the Park has played.”
Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean, Gary Brown, and Managing Director for Barbados, Donna Wellington, both commended the staff who turned out despite the imminent weather. Close to 100 signed up for the initiative.
According to the CEO, “It is just a tremendous amount of camaraderie… We want to give back to the community. We want to make sure that we are doing something tangible that people can see… that children and the entire community can be able to enjoy this park – even more than they do already.”
Ricardo Marshall, Special Projects Officer at the National Conservation Commis-sion (NCC), described the work carried out as “overwhelming”. He lauded both the beauti-fication project and the installation of the interpretive trail.
“Queen’s Park is such an important place for Barbadians,” he expressed.
“Ten signs dealing with certain aspects of the history will be placed strategically, so it encourages people to walk around and enjoy the park. In addition, three welcome signs will be
positioned close to each of the gates, also pointing out keys facts about Queen’s Park.”
(TL)