Dear Editor,
In this 50th year ‒ Golden Jubilee ‒ of the Independence of our ‘Dear Land of Guyana’, the intention is to make a tangible contribution with the submission of a proposal, which, if implemented, will contribute tremendously towards regional and national development, but most importantly it will greatly advance the move towards that social cohesion which we crave.
On February 18, 2016, I was in a motorcade and rally, celebrating the tremendous success of the West Indies Under-19 Captain Shimron Hetmyer and his team in defeating India in the finals of the Under-19 50 overs World Cup tournament to become World Cup Champions for the first time. Of course, we did not know at that time how much more joy was in store when, a few weeks later our senior women and male teams would go on to create even more history by winning their version of the Twenty/20 World Cup on the same day. What a moment! What a day! I was in company with three youths aged 20, 22 and 24. Our vehicle was proceeding east along Main Street, New Amsterdam, in the vicinity of Charles Place, when I looked across to the site of the old New Amsterdam Public Hospital and said: “Why don’t they use this site and build a Cultural Centre and Sports Hall for our youths?” To my great shock, surprise and pleasure, I heard three voices in unison responding: “Ahh yes!”
This unexpected reaction caused me to start thinking and dreaming, to the extent that I was inspired to document my dreams and vision for the future of our youths. I know that all Guyanese must have similar dreams. The rough drawing of a Medical, Cultural and Sports Complex to be powered by solar energy and financed with foreign aid, at the site of the former public hospital on Charles Place, New Amsterdam, between Main Street and Strand, outlines my proposal.
The importance of this proposal which includes Health and Wellness, Self Defence and Fitness, Sports and Culture, Education and Learning, Board rooms and Administrative areas, a Reception Hall, a Hall of Fame, an Indoor Cricket Practice Facility, Child Care facility and playing area, Volleyball, Basketball, Lawn Tennis and Badminton courts, cannot be over-emphasized. This is an investment that must be made.
My most fervent hope is that one day soon Kadeem, Judason, Ruel and so many more of our youths will be able to once more proclaim in joy and unison “Ahh yes”
Yours faithfully,
Mortimer George
