The community of Pichelin will soon boast not only a fully refurbished basketball court but state-of-the-art scoring equipment as well as shot clocks.
At a handing over ceremony on Thursday, July 14th, the Dominica Lotteries Commission donated more than $15,000 dollars to the Pichelin Sports Club.
Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the Community, Dr Kenneth Darroux, expressed his appreciation to the Lotteries Commission for answering the call.
He hopes that volleyball and other court sports will be played at the facility as well.
“The Pichelin basketball team, the Falcons, are unbeaten this year and I want to congratulate them. In fact, they motivate me to do more for them.”
Hon Darroux says he will not rest until the facility is developed to the point of becoming the #1 sporting scene on the island.
The sports club, he says, has been taking the initiative and spending their own money and time on the facility.
The Hon. MP believes that this will have a positive impact on the community.
Last month at the 11th Inaugural Meeting of the Pichelin Village Council, the Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, committed to assisting the community by providing funds to enhance the basketball court and construct washrooms and changing rooms.
“As we speak, an additional $35,000 should be in the coffers of the Pichelin Village Council as fulfilment of a commitment of the Hon. Prime Minister. I want to thank him for this offer.
“To-date, we’ve spent quite a large sum of money, about $60,000, to get it to where it is today.
Hon. Dr Darroux says there is more to come hopefully to cover the hard court and make it an indoor sporting area.
Sam Martin, Dominica Lotteries Commission board member, spoke on behalf of the commission.
“We have been supporting sports and culture on island and we will continue to fulfil that mandate. It is not for me to say but I must say that when I got here, I was very impressed and I must commend the council and the MP.”
He handed over the cheque to Yannick Registe of the Pichelin Sports Club.
“We are going to use these funds to get a proper shot clock,” Yannick Registe, and a proper scoring clock as well to continually improve the court. The team is very excited, Pichelin on a whole is very excited. Hopefully by next month, we can have some games here.”
“We appreciate it and it will surely go to great use. We want to also thank our Parl Rep who lobbied for us and put great effort into our court and resource centre,” Cadric Thomas.
Vice Captain of the Fashion High Falcons, Kiwan Thomas, thanked Hon Darroux for believing in the team. He thanked the Lotteries Commission for not just investing in sports but in the well-being of youth. He hopes that other organizations take a page from their book.
The team revealed that it is hosting a series of trainings for kids.
The Hon. Parliamentary Representative joined his constituents for a friendly game of basketball.
Every month part of the profits of the National Lottery is set aside specifically for granting financial assistance to promote youth and sports development in Dominica.
