News

The Government of Dominica has committed to the rehabilitation and development of the Belles Playing Field. The announcement came during a cabinet site visit led by Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, who described the playing field as a cornerstone of the government’s holistic development plan for the village. “We are absolutely committed to these four areas — the housing, the road, the health centre, and the community,” the Prime Minister stated. “And I look forward to coming back, maybe to play softball a little bit… or to exercise. If it is hypertension, we do exercise — and ensure we can have fun at the same time,” he joked, emphasizing the importance of healthy lifestyles and recreation in rural development.

Hon. Darron Lloyd, Member of Parliament for Belles, expressed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of his constituents. “In terms of the playing field, obviously children will be here,” he said. “Belles, we don’t have many areas that we can recreate. So this is an absolute gem and blessing that we’ll be receiving. I am ever so thankful.”

He added that the playing field is more than a recreational asset — it is a symbol of government attention and care.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Sports to decentralize access to sporting infrastructure, according to Senator Hon. Oscar George, Minister in the Ministry of Sports. “From a government standpoint, we’re trying to ensure that all communities across the country have proper sports facilities to give young children an opportunity to compete,” he explained. “We understand the impact of sports and what it can do to our young people across the world.”

Minister George also announced immediate action. “We’ll be back on Monday to do some initial leveling and clearing of the area,” he said. “This intervention is a very important opportunity for the development of the community. It not only brings the community together but offers our athletes an opportunity to compete from a very young age.”

The long-term vision for the field includes training programs and community sporting events. “We don’t want to exclude the adults from that intervention,” Hon. George added. “This is about building talent, promoting health, and creating unity.”

McDowell Henry, a resident of Belles, was visibly emotional when he spoke during the visit. “So when I sit here today and they tell me, on Monday they're coming to do something on that playing field, you can imagine how I’m feeling,” he said. “I’m very, very happy today.”