The inclement weather could not prevent community members and THA officials from coming out to witness the commissioning of the much anticipated 300-seater Mt Grace Pavilion. The $2.3 million pavilion was one of several projects commissioned by the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport in collaboration with other THA divisions.
Speaking at Tuesday's opening, assistant secretary of Infrastructure and Public Utilities Gary Melville, whose division was primarily responsible for the construction of the facility, said: "Through our collaboration and co-operation we would have contributed to improving the community of Mount Grace and environs."
Echoing the sentiments of the assistant secretary were the Chief Secretary Orville London and Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport Claudia Groome-Duke, who are joint representatives for the Mt Grace Area.Assemblyman Groome-Duke noted that the provision of sporting infrastructure in communities is part of the THA's sport policy.
She promised: "This is not the only project we will be delivering but as you know we are now on the delivery thrust... Between now and the end of January we will be out there in every community." Later, to top off the proceedings, the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport presented awards to members of the community who have made meritorious contributions towards sport development in the Mount Grace/Harmony Hall Community and environs.
London fondly recalled days of playing cricket on a field surrounded by makeshift bleachers and outdoor "changing rooms" under large trees, stressed the significance of the pavilion in his feature address.
London, who partly grew up in the neighbouring Whim Village, said: "As a member of the community I have a right, in fact, I have a responsibility to speak to the members of the community as family. It is an investment–a $2.3 million investment.
"Therefore all of us have a responsibility to ensure that we do what is necessary to guarantee the returns on the investment and on the other hand fight against anything that will jeopardise this investment," he added.
The Chief Secretary noted that the pavilion was completed amidst many challenges and cautioned community members to ensure that Tobago's taxpayers received value for money. He charged community members to make maximum positive use of the facility and to discourage people's involvement in any recreational activity at the facility that was destructive to youth development and community life.
"I will judge the success of this facility by how much downtime there is, how much activity there is, how much positive activity is encouraged in this facility," London said. Mount Grace Village Council president Carlos Peterkin encouraged members of the community to "open (their) hearts and minds to the vision that the Tobago House of Assembly has for the people of Tobago."
He further charged them to see the project as a stepping stone to further infrastructural development to take place at the recreational ground.
Following the ceremony, local senior and junior football teams engaged in friendly matches.