Treasure Beach Sports Park Meeting February 26, 2004

Meeting commenced at 5:20 pm.
Prayer was offered by Mrs. Vivette Taylor
Welcome was made by Mrs. Sheila Hamilton. She encouraged the community members to speak and ask questions freely, as the opportunity may not arise again.
Mr. Darin James explained his idea for the project. He said it was a dream of his to own a sports complex and he told Jason about it and showed him the land. The government was approached through Donald Buchannan and they bought the land.
Mrs. Sheila then opened the floor for questions or concerns.
Jason then gave some background to shed some light on the matter. He explained it was a big opportunity for the community and people should view the land as a park rather than a complex. Jason wishes that it will be a place for jogging, picnics, a skills training facility, health facility, cricket and football fields. False concerns that he has heard are the filling in of the pond, knocking down trees, and loud music, all of which will not happen.
Mrs. Anderson-How will the project be controlled? The land will be leased to breds at low rent and the land will be in the hands of the government. Breds will man the project and it will be completed in phases.
Mrs. South-How often will there be international events? That will be part of the fundraising but not the whole part of the park. If it is leased by breds, the profits would come through breds and then spend back in the community.
Mrs. Falconer-Noise pollution will have to be controlled. Is it possible to set up a board of what is going to happen here? Yes, the community will be involved. George Prescott will be invited to survey the land so that no trees will be removed.
Traffic for big events will be a huge problem. The community needs to handle this matter and monitor what is the overall plan of the project. 15 acres of land once belonging to Mr. Ahein James is adjoining Mr. Kinkead’s land. He provided an area for a main road through to the site.
Suggestions: Cricket, football, and baseball fields, all seasonal. Health centre for visiting doctors. Swimming pool for lessons. Small convention centre. Skills training centre. Theatre with a wooden floor. Kiddie area. Amphitheatre. Indoor games. Walking trail or jogging field. Tuck shop area.
Discipline must be the hallmark of what will take place in the area. Proper management must be in place from the start.
The sports park will bring in business to many people. A development committee will be put together to discuss what will happen, but the status of the land must first be found out. We should have a community meeting with the M.P. Mr. Buchannan and put forward a plan.
Mrs. Hamilton-Everyone here is in favour of the land being developed. It was a good meeting in that people spoke frankly. It’s our land as a community.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm.