Ground breaking done for $3 million Park Hill multi-use centre

The community of Park Hill has been identified as the first in the nation to get a multi million dollar cultural, educational and wellness centre. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the $3 million building took place on Monday May 13, 2024.

This centre, to be constructed near the Park Hill Playing field, is a gift from the government and people of Taiwan, through the efforts of that country’s ambassador to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Fiona Fan.

3D MOCKUP of the Park Hill multi-use centre

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Fan said the event “marks a significant step in the long standing partnership between our nations.”

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has already received the money from Taiwan to fund the project.

Ambassador Fan explained that this contribution reaffirms Taiwan’s “commitment to invest in the educational, cultural and wellness infrastructure of communities”.

She added that the vision and leadership of Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves “have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to reality, fostering a brighter future for all Vincentians”.

The land on which the centre is to be built was occupied by Hill Top Farms.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that government has acquired the land and that the operators of the farm will be compensated for their crops.

Apart from being used for culture, education, and the promotion of wellness, Dr Gonsalves said the building will also serve as an emergency shelter for residents of Park Hill.

The centre will contain bathroom and toilet facilities, water storage facilities and also a generator, in the event of any power outage.

“This is not the usual learning resource centre, this is an upgrade, a big big upgrade,” Dr Gonsalves told persons attending the ceremony.

The Prime Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for the North Central Windward constituency, which includes Park Hill, thanked the government and people of Taiwan for funding the construction of the centre. He said the building will have the capacity to seat about 130 persons, and could therefore be used to hold weddings and other community events.

Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves also addressing guests at the ceremony spoke about the transformation of Park Hill for the better.

“The transformation has been led almost single handedly by Honourable Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and fuelled by his love for the people of Park Hill, and the people of North Central Windward.”

He said the centre will be a first in the nation.

Giving an overview, architect Dimitri Samuel said the two story L-shaped facility will be constructed on 9650 square feet of land and have two wings.

It will also have a lift to aid senior citizens or persons who are physically challenged.

Among other amenities, there will be a kitchen, classrooms, and a gym.

Also speaking at the event Minister of Tourism, Carlos James said Park Hill had given the region one of its greatest leaders so it only fitting “for us to start by breaking ground here in Park Hill, to signal our gratitude to you the people of North Central Windward”.

Construction work is expected to begin shortly.