Young: Bert Allette Park being rebuilt at no cost to the State

Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young says the reconstruction of the Bert Allette Park, Norfolk Street, Belmont will be done "gratis" by the Chinese Embassy through China Railway Construction, and in collaboration with the Port of Spain City Corporation, as a donation to the people of Belmont.

Newsday attended the sod-turning ceremony hosted by the Chinese Embassy on August 14 and noticed the dilapidated state of the swings, slides and exercise equipment. There was also overgrown grass throughout the park.

Young said while the park has never been closed, the "wear and tear" of the park and its reconstruction has been something he has wanted to focus on for some time.

"I'm glad we found a partner to help refurbish the park, because its very important for children in the community."

Young said he is unsure of the timeline for completion, but "will push China Railway to complete it as quickly as possible."

"Today they will get the work started and work with the Port of Spain City Corporation to complete it."

Chinese ambassador Fang Qiu said the reconstruction of the park was a part of the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago.

"This will serve as a catalyst for further deepening the traditional friendship between our two countries.

"The reconstruction of Bert Allette Park will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of the citizen's quality of life."

Belmont resident, George Johnson said the reconstruction of the park is a fantastic initiative.

"Anything that will encourage the youths to come into a safe and improved space is always positive."

The Belmont area has seen a high rate of gun violence over the last few months. On June 2, police said a group of men were liming near a school in Gonzales, after a game of football. Without warning, gunmen arrived in a car and began shooting. One man was killed and several others injured.

The injured men were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, but moments after their arrival, masked gunmen also stormed the hospital in a car. While relatives of the wounded men and medics were trying to get the victims into the hospital's accident and emergency department, the gunmen got out of their car and opened fire.

Jayden Reyes, 21, Peter Williams, 31, Kevin "Grimes" King, 33, and Johnathon "Johnny/Jman" Arjoon, 23 all died in that incident, and a man was shot and wounded.

On July 3, Levei Morgan-Gloud, 21, was shot and killed while attending a wake at Layan Hill, Upper St Francois Valley Road, Belmont.

Just over a month later, two more men were gunned down in Gonzales. Hasani Bonas, 29, and Jahiem Shallo, 19, were gunned down on July 12 while liming in the area.

Johnson said while crime throughout the country is high, he hopes the criminal elements will "respect the park."

"Safety and crime is always an issue in TT, so anywhere can become a hotspot.

"We just have to hope the space is respected if there are children playing here. We have to hope for the best."

Port of Spain mayor Chinua Alleyne said the project was one on the table to be implemented when he first came into office.

"I want to specifically recognise MP Young, who has been the driving force behind seeing this collaboration between the city of Port of Spain and the Chinese Embassy come to fruition.

"I'm very happy that we are able to support this initiative and be able to see today the breaking of the ground for this project."

Alleyne said the project was more personal to him, as he attended school with Allette's son, Kareem Allette.

"When Bert Allette met his untimely demise, the relationship between myself and his son grew even closer.

"Today I brought his son to join us for this reconstruction of this space that is named in his father's honour."

Bert Allette was a PNM councillor for Belmont North/West. He was shot dead while walking on St Francois Valley Road in Belmont, on December 26, 2006.

His son Kareem, 40, smiled ear-to-ear as he remembered and spoke about his father.

Allette said his father was a principled man who loved his community.

"He used to help clean. He would literally help clean the park. He would be pleased (to see the reconstruction)."

Kareem, a resident in Belmont, said he was away for a while and only came back to TT, two months ago.

"I've noticed people are not coming outside, especially after dark."

He hopes the reconstruction of the park will begin to remove the existing fear of crime from Belmont residents.

"I hope the refurbished park will re-introduce a sense of community in Belmont.

"These small initiatives could help bring a spirit of community – to talk to your neighbour, to come outside, to walk to shop and even to take a taxi."

With reporting by Kristen-Le Chelle Winchester