PM Douglas, Taiwanese Diplomats tour Challengers Multi-purpose Centre

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - PRIME MINISTER the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and the Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Rong Chuan Wu, together toured the new Challengers multi-purpose centre on Friday, August 22.

The tour of the new facility comes exactly four days before its official opening and the Taiwanese Ambassador expressed his pleasure at the layout and the plans for its future use.

“This is a first class modern facility. I deem it a successful project,” he said. “Although it is my first visit, I think that it is an honour and privilege to aid in this development.”

He stressed the importance for the facility to accommodate the specific needs of the people in the area and stated that “this kind of infrastructure is a must. It should play a role as a community activity centre, not only as a day care centre but also as a place for business, leisure and even cultural events”.

The building is complete with a day care centre beneath and a community centre above. 

The day care centre houses an office, multi-purpose room, two pre-school classes, two nursery rooms, a sleeping room, a laundry, a full kitchen and adjacent pantry, a full shower bathroom and a staff bathroom, while the community centre comprises a general hall, storage rooms and additional vacant rooms.

The PM was no less than satisfied with the multi-purpose centre. He opined that the facility should act as the focal point of rebirth and renewal for the Challengers and Stone Fort communities.
 
He stated that if the nation were to overcome challenges in relation to social and moral deterioration, more facilities like the multi-purpose centre should be established.

“No doubt, one of the strong features of the government’s social development project is to ensure that our young children are given the appropriate foundation, which should assist them in becoming functional citizens. This centre should provide a positive environment for the people of the area,” Dr. Douglas said.

The PM also expressed the significance of the centre to the residents of Challengers and Stone Fort.

“This has indeed become necessary for Challengers and is a project that has been long awaited. This area has never had a nursery, pre-school or a community centre of such sort. In fact, this must be a focal point for the community’s elderly, young and vulnerable.”   ~~Adz:Right~~

He thanked all those who have made the construction of the facility possible: “I am pleased with quality of workmanship provided in this building...it is tremendous! I thank Allie’s Construction for despite delays and difficulties, the building was successfully constructed. Also, I thank Mr. Walters, the original owner of the land, for allowing the land exchange.”

Glen Phillip, the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party’s recently appointed Representative of Constituency Four, was also passionate about the plans for the new facility. He anticipates that the building would also be used to reintroduce table tennis in the area, accommodate dance classes and to host the Challenger’s football team in an effort to provide the necessary positive avenue for the villagers to channel their energies.

Among those who toured the facility were Ambassador Wu’s Counsellor, Minister of Community Development the Hon. Rupert Herbert, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health Elvis Newton, Director of Social and Community Development Jovil Martin, and National Coordinator for Early Childhood Development Vanta Walters.

The Challengers multi-purpose centre is another development project undertaken by the Labour Party Government with the aid of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

According to a senior government official, other developmental plans include the restoration of the neighbouring Old Mill Yard, the opening of the Pogson Hospital and the expansion of the day care centre in Sandy Point.