Avenues community gets pan yard

The sweet sound of pan music is expected to resonate once more from the back yard of the Bishop’s College Kingstown, with the handing over of a pan yard to the school and the Paul’s Avenue Community.{{more}}

Last Wednesday’s handing over of the $70,000 facility by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Social Investment Fund (SIF) to the community of Paul’s Avenue is just the first part of a two phase project which also includes the refurbishing of the Bishop’s College Playing Field.

The project, which is funded by this country’s government and the European Union, is expected to cost $250,000.

CEO of SVG SIF Bentley Browne, in handing over the keys to the facility to Marlon Stephenson of Avenues United, said that he expects the facility will be beneficial in the social and cultural development of the community, which is home to a number of groups including Nelson Block and High Voltage Mas tents, a number of football teams, the Bishop’s College Kingstown and the Kingstown Technical Institute, as well as the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra.

According to Stephenson, the pan yard has been entrusted in the care of the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra, which, apart from using the facility, is expected to provide support to the students and community groups interested in learning to play the instrument.

Stephenson said that the pan yard is expected to be put to use soon.

The other part of the project, the playing field, is expected to be completed early next year.