More sporting facilities coming to Marriaqua

At least two more sporting facilities — a playing field and a hard court — could be coming to the Marriaqua Valley.

Making the promise was newly elected representative St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince, as he addressed the opening of the Marriaqua Area Netball Tournament last Sunday afternoon at the Richland Park Government School hard court.{{more}}

“In Evesham, we are looking at the suitability of land in that area to develop a playing field… And right now in Glenside, the Ministry of Transport is contemplating doing some work on river defences, so that we can put a hard court in that area,” Prince proposed.

While promising to establish new sporting facilities, Prince revealed that the Richland Park Playing Field, commonly called the Oval, will again be looked after.

Prince told those present that he has already had discussions with the National Lotteries Authority with a view to having the Oval and the adjoining hard court get a redo.

Both were part of the Social Investment Fund project in 2011. however, they have degenerated into an unacceptable state, because of several factors.

Prince also said that he is personally looking positively at lighting the hard court on the premises of the Richland Park Government School.

“I am thinking how we can get some sponsors to light this one at the Richland Park School court properly and by the next competition, the Richland Park hard court will be fully lighted… That is a promise,” Prince said with confidence.

In the same breath, Prince said he was equally disappointed with the amount of vandalism meted out to the existing facilities.

“Those who would have seen the Oval would know that the toilet facilities, the playing facilities have been vandalized by people in this area and this is the hurtful part…. The people who benefit most from the facility are the ones who destroy it…Even at Cane End, we have a problem … A lot of money was spent there, but we end up with having the field vandalized by irresponsible people who don’t have the Valley at heart,” Prince explained.

Apart from Prince, director of physical education and sports Nelson Hillocks, along with chief organizer of the Marriaqua netball tournament Julia Pompey-Matthews gave remarks at Sunday’s opening.

Shackell Bobb was the featured speaker.(RT)