St. John’s Village receives a new Community Centre

On March 21st, 2017 the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby- Dolly formally opened a brand new, two-story community centre for the residents of St. John’s Village. This centre is the twelfth centre to be opened by the Minster since she assumed office in 2015. In her Keynote Address she told the members of the community, “this centre will represents your dreams as a village, and will act as a meeting place for your Village Council, youth groups, enable you to hold classes and bring positive development to the community.”

The new community centre located at St. John’s Street, Cipero Road, San Fernando, boasts an audio Visual room, a fitness room, an air-conditioned auditorium, a kitchen, classrooms, a computer room, and an administrative office.

Also present was the Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Member of Parliament for San Fernando East the Honourable Randall Mitchell. He thanked the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, for all that she did in ensuring that the new centre was opened. He further explained that his mission as Member of Parliament for the area was “the relentless pursuit of the improvement of the quality of life for all the citizens within his constituency by the development of their human assets.” Mitchell also noted that realisation of this mission would now be directly aided by the opening of the centre and for this he expressed his gratitude.
Ms Rebecca Brathwaite secretary of the St. John’s Village delivered the Secretary’s report where she thanked all the members of the community who worked assiduously to make the community centre a reality. She noted that the challenge was now to ensure that the facility was fully utilised and maintained but assured that the council would do their best to realise these objectives.

The ceremony also included special awards being presented to five individuals who were recognised by the Victoria West District Office, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts:
Mr. Newton Brotherson – Community Development
Mr. Kenneth Sookoo – Community Activistism
Mr. Marsely Thomas – Education
Reverand joyce edwards – Religion
Ms Paulina Williams – (posthumously) oldest community member (104 years)

The Community Centre Construction and Refurbishment Programme falls under the purview of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts and its objective is to provide modern community facilities
throughout Trinidad.

Dr. the Honourable Nyan- Gadsby-Dolly Minister of Community Development Culture and the Arts, cuts the ribbon to officially open the St. John’s Community Centre, with her from left are: Mrs. Beverly Reid-Samuel Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, President of the Village Council, the Honourable Randall Mitchell Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Member of Parliament for San Fernando East, Mrs. Angela Edwards Permanent Secretary of the MCDCA, and Mrs Susan Corbett Director of Community Development Division.