ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, October 30th, 2012 - Residents of the Virgin Islands, particularly the seventh and eight districts now have a functioning recreational space where they can indulge in a variety of sporting activities and engage in a healthier lifestyle following the grand re-opening of the Greenland Recreational Field.
The reopening signals the completion of phase one of the project, which provides improved facilities for basketball, softball, junior soccer, cricket and track and field events on a 200-metre track.
Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn in his remarks at the October 25th ceremony declared the Greenland Field open. He said, “Government realise the path that we must play to ensure that our citizens live healthy and productive lives. We realise that with the many conveniences that we have today, citizens are not eating healthy all the time and to compound matters, we are not as active as we used to be.”
The Sports Minister continued, “This is one of the many reasons why I am enthusiastic about the opening of the Greenland field. We cannot escape the conversations about living a healthy lifestyle and adequate recreational facilities play an important role in helping our citizens lead active and productive lives. Having improved facilities, like this one here at Greenland play an important role in ensuring the longevity of our people.”
The Minister added that the facility will also help young people find positive chances to socialize with their peers, and develop skills that could one day take them beyond the fields and the shores of the Virgin Islands.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE spoke on the sense of pride he felt when he saw the newly completed field.
He said that Government is very interested in building communities as they create a sense of oneness and sporting facilities help to achieve this goal. “Everybody knows that a healthy mind depends on a healthy body and through this field we will make sure that the young people in the East End/Long Look area have healthy bodies.”
The Premier listed some attributes the youth can develop while playing on the field which can be transferred throughout their lives and in their careers. “The Greenland Field will also provide young people with the opportunity to develop character as through playing sports they develop a sense of team work, leadership, comrade, and dependability.
For His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO it was his first visit to the recreational facility. In his brief remarks he said, “I take a strong personal interest in sports and I think sports is a critical component in the development of young people. I am delighted that the field is open. I am looking forward very much too seeing sports played here in Greenland.”
The Governor congratulated Minister Walwyn, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Government as a whole for “having restored this field to its former glory in fact I think perhaps more than its former glory. It is an excellent looking facility and I very much hope that all the young persons and indeed some of the not so young persons in the Territory can enjoy the facilities here in Greenland.”
Signalling his commitment to sports, Minister Walwyn presented officials from the BVI Little League Baseball/Softball Association with a cheque while Mrs. Dawn Crabbe-Herbert of Play to Win Sports Store presented Minister Walwyn with an official FIFA approved Molten Basketball.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour who is also the seventh district representative Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, eight district representative Honourable Marlon Penn, Project Manager Mr. Allen Wheatley and Chairman of the Recreation Trust Mr. Roy Barry also spoke at the opening ceremony. Several House of Assembly members were also in attendance.
The Re-opening of the Greenland Field is part of Government’s commitment to building a fit Territory with improved recreational facilities for all residents.
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