Elected Representative for West End, Albert Hughes, is calling for more playgrounds around the developing primary school there in addition to the basketball court funded by the Social Security Board.

“We need proper recreation grounds around the school,” Mr.Hughes said. “We do not have the land and therefore we need to exchange or acquire land around the school so that the youngsters can have the necessary facilities.”

Asked what other recreational facilities were needed, Hughes stated: “We need the land so that we can determine what can be done with it. We are desperately in need of a playing field and there is no space around the school for that. I have been trying my best ever since I got in Government as an Elected Member to persuade them to either exchange or acquire land. Right now I am in negotiation with the Social Security Board and Mr. Hodge [the Director] asked me to deal with the landowners to see what help the Board can do for us again.”

Mr. Hughes went on: “I was speaking with the Sports Director [Alkins Rogers] and he told me that we need about six acres of land in order to have a proper playing field. I was saying about four to five acres but he said about six acres would be appropriate. We already have the basketball but youngsters today like their cricket and this is one area of sports in particular that I would like to see developed.

“Another thing, we are building a new school and it is a shame that there is not even a landmark of the old school there. To my mind the old school looked more beautiful although this one is not yet completed. The Government is supposed to build the second phase and then the people of West End are to build the third phase and I think our people are working very hard to see what money they could raise to that end.”

He noted that the West End community was expected to raise the money to build auditorium and wondered where it would come from. He observed that West End was the island’s tourism belt and was of the opinion that much of the money or all of it could be contributed by the developers in the area. He added that there were plans to approach the hoteliers on the matter and expressed the hope that they would donate towards the cause.

View of the new classroom block at the West End Primary School and Basketball Court

The West End School Development Project is a partnership among the Governments of Britain and Anguilla and the West End community of Anguilla. The British Government, through the Department for International Development, has already funded phase one of the project - the construction of six classrooms.

Hon. Albert Hughes

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