Berbice businesses contribute to refurbishment of Albion Community Centre

Mar 24, 2012 Sports

Samuel Whyte
Patrons attending sports events at the Albion Community Centre, Berbice, will now be able to do so in relative comfort following donations of varying amounts by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and several other corporate entities towards the refurbishing of one of the Pavilions at the world famous venue.
Renowned for hosting the first one-day international played in the West Indies, the venue have also been home to many other international events over the years and received contributions from the Rose Hall Branch of Republic Bank and businessman Balram Shane among others.

Executives of the CCCC and Republic Bank along with others who contributed to the rebuilding of the stand pose for a group photo.

The business entities undertook to replace dilapidated boards and zinc sheets while repainting the structure among other initiatives.
On Thursday last, the structure was rededicated and handed over to the authorities of the Albion Community Centre at a simple ceremony at the venue which has been neglected in recent times with most of the structures in dilapidated states. It was this state of affairs that prompted the CCCC to spearhead rehabilitation works.
President of the CCCC, Imran Hamid, delivered brief remarks and pointed out that his organisation is community oriented and is always delighted to give back as it has received. He pointed out that the CCCC has always used the venue for the annual Expo and Trade Fair and their input in the rehabilitation works is merely reciprocal.
The CCCC head feels that by rendering assistance towards the rehabilitation of the community centre his executives were supporting a wide cross section of the community that utilize the venue. He reiterated that his entity is always anxious to support meaningful sport ventures because of its ability to unite communities.
Manager of Republic Bank, Leon Mc Donald, in brief remarks intimated that his organisation was only too willing to be a part of the project since officials recognised the benefits that could be derived by members of the community. He said that Republic Bank has always looked forward to opportunities to give back and sport is an excellent way to demonstrate its commitment to the development of the respective communities.
“Berbice has a rich history in sports and we feel obligated to uphold this legacy,” exhorted Mr. McDonald.
Popular Rosehall Town businessman, Balram Shane organises a yearly cricket tournament and donated the monies accrued from the last tournament, amounting to more than $1.5M into the rehabilitation of the Albion Community Centre.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that as part of its community oriented projects, the CCCC had performed similar gestures on several other entities. It had rededicated and handed over a kitchen and recreational facilities to the Whim Police Station and constructed two concrete sight screens at the now defunct Rose Hall Community Centre, East Canje.
Executives said that the initiative is the first in a series undertaken by the entity and other civic minded organisations to help rehabilitate the once famous ground which had been inexplicably abandoned by Guysuco and is now used as a venue for fairs and other activity.