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| Photo Credits: Ruth L/File Photo |
St.
George’s, March 19, 2011 – The people of St. Patrick will soon
be the beneficiaries of a cultural centre for the performing arts, a
state-of-the-art public library, new and expanded network of roads, and
upgraded port facilities.
The
development plans for St. Patrick were outlined Saturday by Hon. Joseph Gilbert
as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Fiesta of
the St. Patrick’s Organisation for Development (SPOD).
“We, in
government, are doing our part to transform St. Patrick. SPOD is also playing
its part. Let us work together to make St. Patrick a better place,’’ said Mr.
Gilbert, MP for St. Patrick West and Minister of Works, Public Utilities and
Physical Development.
Many of
the plans for St. Patrick, which is also represented in parliament by Prime Minister
Hon. Tillman Thomas, emanated from consultations held with parishioners on what
is known as the “Greater Sauteurs Local Area Plan.’’
“Several
persons and groups in St. Patrick contributed to the success of this Plan,
including SPOD,’’ Hon. Gilbert noted. “I want to take this opportunity to
publicly thank all those who gave their time and ideas to make that exercise
the success that it has been.’’
Government,
which has undertaken several development initiatives in St. Patrick over the
last two years, will be unveiling many more under the Local Area Plan, Minister
Gilbert said. Among them are:
§ Expanding
the road network in the Town of Sauteurs. “Preliminary investigative work in
this regard has already commenced,’’ Mr. Gilbert said. “The proposal is to
develop a system of new roads from Low Town in the area of the Old Carib-E
Cinema, up along the northern and eastern boundaries of the McDonald
College grounds, with links to Main Street and High Street.’’
§ In
addition, there is the “St Patrick's Roads Network Upgrade Project,’’ which is
funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, and is scheduled to commence next
year. Design work by the project consultants is scheduled to begin on Monday,
March 21.
§ Constructing
a Cultural Centre/Centre for the Performing. “A site has been proposed in the
Local Area Plan, and efforts by government to secure the property are well
advanced,’’ Minister Gilbert announced.
§ Developing
the port facilities and improving the fisheries infrastructure in Sauteurs. According
to the minister, “discussions with interested port developers with respect to
the development of the port are ongoing. So far, the prospects are quite
encouraging.’’
§ Building
a brand new police station for Sauteurs on the site of the old Public Works’
building that includes the old Health Centre and old Dispensary. “Surveys and
design works are in progress by the Ministry of Works,’’ said Mr. Gilbert.
§ Developing
of several tourist attractions in St. Patrick including Caribs' Leap, the Slave
Pens, and the Sulphur Springs.
The
proposed site of the state-of-the-art public library in Sauteurs is the old
Police Station, Minister Gilbert said.
Another
project in the pipeline is a resource centre, he added. “We have also received
funding for the construction of a brand new playing field and resource center
in Snell Hall for the residents of Snell Hall, Morne Fendue, La Fortune,
Madeys, Canning and surrounding areas,’’ Hon. Gilbert said. “The necessary
lands have been identified and will be secured shortly to commence the
project.’’
In
addition, with Phase B of the Agricultural Feeder Roads’ Project scheduled to
begin shortly, a number of roads in St. Patrick will be rehabilitated.
These,
Mr. Gilbert said, include Welcome Hall, Upper Celeste, Morman Hill, Morne
Repos, Mt. Reuil-Plaisance, Plaisance Extension, and the Red Mud Extension to
Belle Vue Mountain.
Since
2008, St. Patrick has benefited from improvements to many secondary and
tertiary roads in the northernmost parish of the island.
Some of
the roads that have been upgraded are the Darvie Road; Maidstone Road; the
concrete road of Cross Street Mt. Craven; the new concrete road at Mahaut;
Canning Road and Bridge; the Pasture Road in Samaritan; Goat Hill Road; White
Dust Road; Top Yard Road in Mt. Rose; and the concrete Snell Hall Road.
The
2011 St. Patrick’s Day Fiesta Week of Activities is the 25th year
of its celebration.
“Let me
salute SPOD for their continued effort over the last 25 years to improve St.
Patrick,’’ Minister Gilbert said.
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