Students of the Enis Adams Primary School enjoying their upgraded playground, thanks to the combined efforts of the Rotary Club of San Juan and the Rotary Club of Road Town. Photo: VINO

Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Charles Benjamin (right) presents a token of appreciation to International Service Director of the Rotary Club of San Juan, Carlos Matos. Photo: VINO

Ecstatic students seized the earliest opportunity to swarm the playground. Photo: VINO

Thanks especially to the collaborative effort of the Rotary Club of Road Town and the Rotary Club of San Juan, the long awaited playground for the Enis Adams Primary Schools in Meyers was finally dedicated today March 20, 2012.

The cost to get the equipment for the playground to the Virgin Islands, it was disclosed, was $24, 761. The cost to install the equipment could not be immediately disclosed by the club.

The Rotary Club of Road Town contributed some $6, 700 towards the project while the Rotary Club of San Juan, which is one of the oldest existing Club in Latin America and the largest Club in Puerto Rico, pitched in with $7000. Rotary International contributed $10, 861.

International Service Director of the Rotary Club of San Juan, Carlos Matos, said today’s dedication of the playground was a special day for the Club having worked on the project for the past three months and being here to see the project a reality.

Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn said it is always a good thing when people come together on initiatives and noted that it is especially important now that the Virgin Islands is feeling the strain of the global economic recession. “I feel good, I feel pleased because I know it is going to be a challenging year for the Government financially. We know what is happening globally and it is good that we can rely on organisations such as Rotary to help us out.”

He singled out LIME, who has adopted the school, for their contributions to the school and noted that they are also assisting the Elmore Stout High School with computers. Minister Walwyn also encouraged the students of the Enis Adams Primary School to take very good care of the playground.

Principal of the School Carleen Parsons said the Rotary Club of Road Town pays a lot of attention to the school and is ever present there. She also disclosed that the Early-Act Club has already come up with a programme regarding littering, where offenders are fined. She said no doubt the Early-Acters would have similar rules for the use of the playground and encouraged them to be vigilant.

Parsons also thanked LIME, who she said is always willing to assist and constantly checks on the school for any requests that it may have of LIME.

2nd District Representative and former member of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Alvin Christopher, said some years ago he was part of the initiative to give the school a playground but said it has now received a complete upgrade of which he was grateful to Rotary.

Brief remarks were made by President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Yvonne Crabbe, while an overview of the project was done by Immediate Past President, Charles Benjamin.