Plans for community centre

The Ministry of Housing and Lands may soon be moving to acquire the lands at Sussex cricket grounds to provide a community centre and recreational facilities for residents of St John.
Minister Michael Lashley said this was one of the issues raised by residents as he blazed the campaign trail ahead of Thursday’s by-election.
He told NATIONnews.com on Saturday that residents, particularly those in College Savannah, were crying out for these facilities.
“There is the possibility that the Ministry of Housing will have to acquire the lands on which Sussex cricket grounds are on so we can regularlise the title and make it into a community centre for recreational purposes.
“The grounds are owned by Codrington College but I believe that it makes more sense for this Government to acquire it, obviously paying compensation to the land owner and seek to make it into a recreational facility for seniors and young people,” he said.
Lashley also noted that during late 2008 and 2009, the ministry had acquired close to 100 lots in some areas including Cherry Grove, Pool and Guinea to be sold at $5 a square foot.
Responding to criticisms from the Barbados Labour Party regarding housing in Barbados, he said: “In two years we acquired 100 lots – in two years we spent two million dollars in rural development. They spent $1.4 million in 14 years so if you talking about neglect in terms of housing, in my view is it doesn’t make sense”.
Lashley said his ministry had to do some more work in terms of house repairs, noting that some was already completed in Six Roads. “I think we have already included in the draft Estimates a certain budget for house repairs across Barbados and it will impact on St John,” he added.
carolmartindale@nationnews.com