Bye bye Princes’ Building grounds

This precious scarce, green space in the middle of our cement city is earmarked to be another beautifully designed, concrete, cultural behemoth.

These same netballers and basketballers were unceremoniously kicked out of President’s grounds a few years ago when their two courts were found to be more suitable for a car park for the current Prime Minister’s staff than for youngsters to enjoy healthy sport.

Talking to these sports people, it is interesting to hear them recall previous occupants of the residence being far more friendly and supportive. It is said that every former Prime Minister found time to stroll over and ‘lime’ occasionally with whoever was using the grounds, whether it was netballers or footballers.

One netballer recaps that PM Chambers was a regular visitor. One day the team decided to approach him to have lights installed so they could use it on evenings. The one appointed to the task, made an appointment to see him. When she was escorted to his office, she explained the purpose of the visit.

PM Chambers’ immediate response, with a wicked smile, was : “So they send the bad John?”

She recalls, he made her feel so comfortable, it was a delight. Within three days the lights were installed. The current occupant put them out - no notice; no explanation; no apology. Soul City Netball Club is forced to play either at the Princes’ Building grounds or Jean Pierre. Parents now have to find the means to get them there and back home to Cascade and St Ann’s at unnecessary expense and great risk. The result is, understandably, a dwindling of interest and participation. It is as if they are being purposely discouraged from playing their sport.

After experiencing a stone wall in negotiating for President’s Grounds for many months before succeeding, one does not relish another battle for our children’s future.

A further aggravation is the fact that PSA grounds are no more; it is being converted to a housing development; and Tranquility Tennis Club is contemplating the same.

We need to ask the question “On whose side are the City Planners?”

D JOHNSON

Cascade