Residents of the Southern Borough is pleading with the Ministry of Sports and Community Development to say when the people of Point Fortín will get back the Civic Center to use.
Renovation Works started on the Civic Center 2009 and was stopped in 2010 when the Partnership Government came into office in 2010.
When the current government came into office in 2015 the people of Point Fortin were promised that the work on center would have restarted however, it is almost six years in office, not one stroke was made, and residents are saying enough is enough and they want the Ministry and it’s Agency to immediately restart construction once again when the Covid 19 restrictions are lifted and complete it not later but now.
Southsidenewstt met a man who described himself as a legend of Point Fortin, he says that this Civic Center should have been built a long time ago. He went on to say that he was on the board when funds were allocated by the Panday Government in 1995-2001 term for the construction of the center.
An architect was contracted to design the place, some renovation was done on the bar so Ms. Neptune would continue to have a livelihood however, when the government was changed in 2002 the funds were redirected elsewhere by the new Minister, a popular Senator from south who some people refer to as Tanty.
The legend went on to say what a glorious place here used to be, Best Village practice was held, Sporting Clubs were also housed, Civic Center Jet Cricket Team, Basketball Team (Black city) etc. etc. in addition we could come here in the afternoon to play draft, billiard, table tennis while other will come to watch TV. you know how much women learn to cook and learn dress making etc. etc. when the late Ms Cyrus and Christopher was giving courses here hmm.
When some people talk about Point Fortin, the Mecca of Culture or Cultural Capital, it is right at the Civic Center they were speaking about.
The late Kelvin Pope (The Mighty Duke), Austin Lyons (then Blue Boy, now Super Blue), started singing in Best Village in the center, are you aware that the know Soca Baptise song was first sung in a Best Village competition.
Boy these Icons of this place must be rolling and crying in their graves for this place to be rebuilt like Ms Neptune, Redman, Rambully, Cheezee, Mouse, and baldhead Charles he concludes, please rebuild our center.
