ROAD TOWN Tortola, BVI, October 26th 2011 - Minister with responsibility for Sports in the Territory Honourable Andrew Fahie at the ceremony yesterday said that the newly refurbished court can “revive the basketball talent that was always at Purcell.”– The Government of the Virgin Islands refurbished and reopened the Purcell Estate Basketball Court providing a quality recreational facility to enhance local development of sports in the Territory.
He said he was pleased to see so many youths at the ceremony and encouraged them to “work together as teams so that the basketball sport can grow in leaps and bounds”. The Sports Minister then shared a brief history about basketball in Purcell and spoke of Purcell’s teams such as the “Bullets” and Trail Blazers”.
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Omar W. Hodge, who is also the representative for the sixth district, recounted the history of the land on which the court sits.
He said “Government is committed to producing professionally talented young people in basketball” and encouraged the youths to engage in the sport.
Both Ministers Fahie and Hodge credited territorial representative Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal for igniting this project and revealed that she contributed $55,000.00 towards its refurbishments. In her remarks Honourable Penn-O’Neal said she has a passion for such projects as it develops sportsmanship skills.
“This facility was improved for the betterment of you the youths and I admonish you to take very good care of it,” she said.
The total refurbishment cost was approximately $70,000.
Ms. Tami David delivered the community response on behalf of the Purcell residents where she welcomed the addition of the court to the community. She pledged on behalf of the residents to use the court to spread love and basketball and as a means to promote positive behavior.
Pastor Peter Victor of the New Testament Church of God blessed and dedicated the court following which the Honourable Members each scored a basketball shot signaling the official reopening. An inaugural game was then played which pitted the “Old Guys” against the “Young Guys”.
Head Coach for the BVI National Team Mr. Keith "88" Malone was the contractor for the project and delivered brief remarks while Mr. Nathaniel Penn installed the electrical and lighting system for the court.
The refurbishment and the reopening of the Purcell Estate Basketball Court celebrated a much needed recreational facility to cater to the professional and recreational development of Purcell residents. The Ministry of Education and Culture holds the portfolio for sports and recreation development in the Territory and supports initiatives to enhance the athletic development of the Territory’s youths.
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