QUEEN’S COLLEGE (QC) is one step closer to reaching its target of $850 000 to construct a multi-purpose sports facility at the school’s St James campus.
To this end, the Give Back QC Charity – created last year by the Give Back QC?Pavilion Fundraising Committee – which has dedicated much of its efforts to providing students of the school with the needed facility – has organized an Evening of Elegance that will feature the best in international cuisine, entertainment and dancing for February 1.
Scheduled for the grounds of Government House – the Governor General’s official residence, it will feature performances by Sir Cliff Richard, Rosemary Phillips, Lillian Lorde and the QC?Steel Orchestra with the dishes including Asian, Italian, Barbadian and Caribbean.
Yesterday at Chez Max Restaurant in St Lawrence Gap, two members of the charity, newspaper publisher Vivian-Anne Gittens and paediatrician Professor Anne St John, both former students, along with principal Dr David Browne, unveiled plans for the Evening of Elegance that will also feature the music of John Lodge of the Moody Blues.
Browne told the Press briefing the fundraising drive on behalf of Queen’s College had already collected $600 000, so another $250 000 was required to complete it.
“Some companies have promised us doors, windows, electrical fittings, plumbing fittings, so if they come through with that, along with cash we raise, we should get near to the completion of this pavilion.
“What we don’t want is what happened on the previous occasion when the recession came, we got to a certain point, it stayed there in the elements for years and then when the engineers did a check, they realized that the entire structure was compromised so it had to be demolished. So that is why if you visit the school you will see a hole in the ground surrounded by plywood,” Browne said.
The principal said the Queen’s College organizing committee was determined to complete the project.
“The plans are there. We know what they are. We know what we want. We just need the cash to start but we are determined to finish it,” said Browne, noting that the 500-seater pavilion will have changing rooms for sports personnel and staff rooms for the Physical Education Department.
“It is about what we want to do in the delivery of sports.
“Engineers have promised the facility could be completed in six months if we have all the funds and the materials and there is concentrated work on the pavilion,” he said.
Noting that education must be tied to national development, he said Queen’s College was keen to make strides in social development and continue its strategic plan.
“In looking at an institution, it is my belief that over time, one has to look at growth and improvement. No institution is perfect, so it is up to those who lead to determine what the vision of it should be and then move towards that.
“I can assure you that in many areas such as teacher training, academics, and sports that we have made a lot of improvement. I am not satisfied. We can go even further and do greater things in Barbados and the region.”
