Minister of Sports and Community Development, Roselyn Paul, disclosed that the Arawak House of Culture and the multi-purpose indoor sports complex in Massacre are nearing completion. The rehabilitation of the two infrastructures will restore cultural entertainments and sporting activities to the facilities.
“Much works have been ongoing to bring the Arawak house of Culture back to use,” Honourable Paul said. “And I know all of the artists, entertainers, event planners, and cultural enthusiastes are looking forward to having the Arawak House of Culture back in operation, especially as this is the only theatre for us here in Dominica.”
The minister disclosed that while the exterior of the Arawak House of Culture looks dilapidated and unkept from the streets, much repairs and renovations are going on inside. She said the reconstructions have gone on very far and that the whole job is almost complete. According to her, the wall has been cladded so that the building can be well-insulated, and the air-conditioners have been installed. She added that the lighting is 75% complete and that 1,800 ceiling tiles will be installed to insulate the ceiling as well.
The entire rehabilitation will be completed in the next three months, Paul revealed. She stated that the stage equipment, chairs, sound systems, and other resources are available to complete the work. She said the painting and facelift of the exterior will be done last.
The culture minister also revealed that the $1.4 million multi-purpose indoor sports complex in Massacre will be completed by April after ongoing renovations. She noted that reconstructiong of the hard-court is almost 95% complete and the entire rehabilitation of the whole facility is almost 80% complete. According to her, other resources that will still be installed include the lights, flooring, and bleachers among other things.
Parliamentary representative for Mahaut Constituency, Rayburn Blackmoore, said the reconstruction of the sports facility underscores the dedication of the government to developing sporting talents across the country. The completed complex will have a covered roofing so that athletes can make use of the facility at any time of the day and under all weather conditions.
“The Government is once again demonstrating its interest in people,” Blackmoore stated. “We could have just halted construction on the facility after Hurricane Maria and justifiably so, but we know the importance of sports for the wholesome development of our young people. We know that one of the most creative ways to dissipate energy is through sports so I am very much elated for that.”
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