The proposed centre would be located next to the High School and would be a multipurpose facility, he told the Legislative Council February 5^th during debate on the 2002 budget.

However, this idea has come in for much criticism by At Large Representative and former Minister of Education and Culture the Honourable Eileene Parsons. She believes the existing Cultural Centre could be refurbished and in addition to its other uses, could become a meeting place for residents of the surrounding areas.

“In my quest to represent the people of the 4^th District and the people of the BVI as a whole, I am doing so in the interest of the people of the BVI,” stated Hon. Vanterpool. He said he would continue to work with the Chief Minister to ensure that Road Town, the capital, is developed.

He pointed out that government has already done a lot of work on paving parking lots on Wickham’s Cay and this would continue. “Also, we’re working hard to ensure that other areas in the Road Town vicinity are pleasant, easy for us to relax in…and that is why we’re putting so much effort into making sure the traditional bandstand is looking very nice…we’ve gotten many positive comments on this and the Afro Tree area…and we hope we can continue to maintain it and make sure it’s a place welcoming for visitors.”

The 4^th District Representative also noted that the Crafts Alive project is just about completed and government will soon embark on the construction and rehabilitation of sidewalks, the covering of all ghuts and drains, the landscaping and general beautification of the area and improving and developing some more public parks. He said they’re also looking to improve the sporting facilities in the capital, build a boardwalk along the waterfront, rehabilitate Main Street and revitalize the street for businesses.

“In addition, we are intending to encourage and work with the Minister of Education to see that included in the urban development of the capital is a good library and museum,” the government backbencher told the Legislative Council.

He spoke specifically about a plan for the development of the softball field and said it is time for Road Town to get a proper stadium. He said in the meantime however, the field will remain in its current position but will be improved before the year is ended.

Hon. Eileene Parsons, now a Member of the Opposition but a former Minister of Sports, said the plan for the Old Recreation Ground is not going to work. She said space is limited for expansion and if extra land has been identified in Greenland, then a proper softball field should be developed there.

She said with the construction of a civic centre between the softball field and the bandstand, there would be no space for parking. “I am saying in my limited knowledge…that the Cultural Centre could be fixed to make it into what we really want…the roof could be raised…why go in the heart of Road Town to build a civic centre with very little parking when we could use that money for making the Cultural Centre into a Centre for the Performing Arts and add something for senior citizens to use as well…it will be money well spent.”

But the District Representative has another vision. He believes that there needs to be proper facilities in the capital. “I sense the need to find a way to bring the people of the 4^th electoral district together more often to work together to improve each other.”

Hon. Vanterpool said he has approached the government about a civic centre for the 4^th district, one that could be used by everyone. He said the centre could be used as an auditorium for the BVI High School, a place to house youth activity in the afternoons and where education can be promoted and developed (it would therefore be equipped with tutorial rooms, computer classes and a library).

The proposed civic centre could also be used instead of the Council Chamber, which is too small. “Mr. Speaker, we’re trying to make sure it’s multipurpose…that was what the Cultural Centre was for, but sports was excluded.”

Other initiatives to be developed would aim to improve the standard of living in the capital and addressing the social ills of society. Discussions are underway, he said, with the Social Development Department to develop a mentorship programme and with the Sandy Lane Rehabilitation Centre to establish a 24-hour crisis centre and what may be called later on a Halfway House.

“But in doing so Mr. Speaker, I realize that we need facilities and areas to be developed to make these things happen,” Hon. Vanterpool stated. “That is the concept of the civic society…I really resent that it has gotten criticism without question…but I really hope that having explained it, it will get the support of Council…I have the support of the Chief Minister and his Ministers and the people will receive the improvement they so deserve.”