The Valley, Anguilla, August 26, 2020……The Honourable Ministerial Assistant responsible for Sports, Youth and Culture, Mr Merrick Richardson brought together a number of stakeholders to discuss the resumption of the development of a long-awaited indoor sporting facility for Anguilla. Joining the Ministerial assistant was the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Hon. Haydn Hughes, Director of Sports, Mr. Andre Collins, Delano Mussington, Fire and Rescue, representative of the Anguilla Basketball Association, Mr. Cuthbert Jackson, Mr. Aster Niles and the Chief Building Inspector in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Claudius Gumbs.
A grant of over US$250,000 was gifted by the Warren Foundation in 1999 to develop an indoor facility. This grant would have been increased if used. The fund remained dormant for over a decade. In 2010, the former Anguilla United Movement administration decided to utilize the fund and the technical staff in the Ministry of MICUH oversaw the development. However, the funds ran out and the facility remained stagnant for another decade.
Mr. Richardson, who himself is a basketball coach has made it a priority to complete this facility. To that end, preliminary studies, plans and costing has been commissioned by the Ministerial Assistant. “It is my goal to see this facility completed. We are all too aware that funding is a challenge but that does not prohibit the planning and costing for this development” said Mr. Richardson. “I believe that nothing can be completed without starting and it is my intention to have this project restarted!” he concluded.
“Where there is the will, the way can be found,” said Minister Hughes. We will also seek out those friends of Anguilla who want to play a role in our national development through investments in projects such as this!” he chimed in.
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