Ministry To Provide Funding: Sea Cadet Building
[Updated] Minister of Public Works Michael Weeks announced a funding initiative to help the T S Venture Sea Cadet Program to assist with the repairs to its home at the Forrester Hall Building in Somerset. The amount of funding was $75,000.
“Here at Forrester Hall is where the TS Venture Sea Cadet programme calls home,” said Minister Weeks. “The building has unfortunately been closed for the past 18 months as the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corp were challenged to find the finances they needed to provide the necessary renovations to their home.
“In light of the significant positive impact that the Sea Cadet programme has on the community, the Ministry of Public Works is pleased to announce that we have decided to step in to provide funding that will assist with the renovation costs.”
“These funds will provide assistance to repair some of the major infrastructure challenges with the roofing, windows, electrical and plumbing. The funds will also assist with a number of smaller tasks, such as revamping the Sea Cadets galley, adding new cabinets and small appliances,” continued Minister Weeks.
“We are pleased to be able to help such a wonderful organization and our young people with the kind of facility that they require to develop the kinds of skills, internal strengths and ideals that serve them well into adulthood. The Government believes that the more we can do to help our young people make positive choices and move forward with confidence, the better our future looks.”
Minister Weeks full statement follows below:
Good Morning,
I want to begin by acknowledging the huge value of programmes such as this offered to our young people by the TS Venture Sea Cadets.
Over the past 30 years, the TS Venture Sea Cadet programme has been a significant institution within our West End community and their list of graduates reads like a Who’s Who in Bermuda!
There is the late Major Chris Wheddon of the Bermuda Regiment; former Government Minister and Senator David Burch, and current Member of Parliament Mr. Charlie Swan who was a past Commanding Officer of the unit – to name but a few.
Additionally, we are equally proud of Mr. Jason Simons and Mr. Peter Simons, both of whom are sea-cadet graduates who went on to serve as excellent Commanding Officers of the TS Venture Sea Cadets.
The Government acknowledges the success of the TS Venture Sea Cadet programme. We believe that programmes such as this can truly make a difference in the lives of our young men and women.
If you ask any of the graduates, they will tell you that they acquired valuable life skills through their time in the Sea Cadets – skills such as respect for themselves and each other. And, through the required community service, seamanship training, sailing, kayaking, cooking, drill and first aid classes, they gained skills that will come in handy for the rest of their lives.
Here at Forrester Hall is where the TS Venture Sea Cadet programme calls home. The building has unfortunately been closed for the past 18 months as the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corp were challenged to find the finances they needed to provide the necessary renovations to their home.
In light of the significant positive impact that the Sea Cadet programme has on the community, the Ministry of Public Works is pleased to announce that we have decided to step in to provide funding that will assist with the renovation costs.
These funds will provide assistance to repair some of the major infrastructure challenges with the roofing, windows, electrical and plumbing. The funds will also assist with a number of smaller tasks, such as revamping the Sea Cadets galley, adding new cabinets and small appliances.
We are pleased to be able to help such a wonderful organization and our young people with the kind of facility that they require to develop the kinds of skills, internal strengths and ideals that serve them well into adulthood. The Government believes that the more we can do to help our young people make positive choices and move forward with confidence, the better our future looks.
I would like to say a big Thank You to the Springfield Community Centre that has allowed the TS Venture Sea Cadets to use their facilities in the interim while efforts were being made to secure funding for renovations to this building.
Thanks also to WEDCO General Manager, Andrew Dias and his staff at WEDCO who have worked tirelessly with us in bringing this project to fruition.
There has been much discussion over the past 18 months to get to this point as Bermuda Sea Cadet Association Executives – Mr. Keith Battersbee, Ms Ann Malcolm and Mr. Dwayne Trott can attest. And after such lengthy discussions, we are pleased to finally be at the point where sleeves can be rolled up and the job can be done!
I am confident that in the end, the Forrester Hall building will be renovated to a very high standard and that the current Officers and members of the TS Venture Sea Cadets, parents and guardians will appreciate the hard work and effort that’s gone into the project.
In closing, the Government of Bermuda thanks WEDCo for partnering with TS Venture to ensure that this project can be completed.
Thank you.
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A very good cause, without a doubt, but where are these monies coming from? And why now if they have had to be out of their premises for the past 18 months… plenty of time to have considered them a worthy recipient of financial support… and to get the expense in the budget. You know what I’m saying about what the proximity of this gift to the upcoming election, don’t you?
All these funds are just appearing all of a sudden. Anyone need or want something nows the time……………….
LOL
Give em a microwave.
They will come.
Sad really.
$75,000? HA HA HA! similar projects have cost millions….must be in the silly season!
Pre ‘lection BS
GREAT news however one must see that there is a plot behind this… why would the Government want to assist now after they’ve been out for 18 months and the only reason I could think of is election is approaching and you want my vote.
sorry but no, not even a blind person could see what’s going on and i feel sad for all those that fall for their tricks.
Call The Election!!!
even a blind person…
If calling an election is what it takes to get things done then perhaps an election should be called more often…
I got six pot holes fixed on my road that have been there for over 10 years…hhhmmmm
jmo too funny but see what happens when they want your vote. the plp does things that should have been done years ago and in your case 10. but they are so dumb they make it so obvious lol
Must be close to election! This is the same government that cut funding to other youth programes like sailing and squash, not to mention numerous others! The two I have mentioned have shown major promise on the international stage. now all of a sudden they find $75,000 th help with renovation. Who is actually paying for this.!?
Well done Bermuda Government. This was a good cause that helps everyone not just the PLP. Helping to bring up well rounded children and help them gain valuable life experiences can only help our community. We need more of this. I bet their renovations wont go over budget, they have done their homework and will value every dollar.
If there are any seniors out there that need a bit of help with odd jobs around the house please let me know. I have been in the renovation business for many years. I am still young and willing to give something and expect nothing in return. Only ask if you are in need and if I can help you I will. I don’t have a lot of money but I can donate my time to making repairs and doing a bit of painting to freshen things up. Just ask me, I will say no if I am busy but it could be your lucky day.
Give something back Bermuda, its the only way to live. Its our identity as Bermudians, that’s what I remember as a kid, and Im not even 40.
These turds don’t care how putrid they make themselves, and their voters look.
Election time!! Get out PLP, your running my beautiful Island to the ground!!
OMG the public entrance to our condos in St. Georges has finally been cleaned: grass cut and trees trimmed! Previously we were told ‘no one owned the property it was our responsibility! OBA Kenneth Bascome visited last week, sorry I missed him! Did he have the Corp. of St. G’s clean up for us! Thanks KB
Now’s the time to make your wish list. Head on over to your friendly local M.P. and get whatever you need.
Love the clean look of North Shore by the way. As a note, could we maybe do this next year around April when tourist season kicks off? Should last until around September when things are winding down. Just a thought
Emotions are high with this upcoming election but could we at least look past this for a moment and see the bigger picture? It is a fantastic thing for the Minister to grant assistance to the TSVenture Unit in Dockyard. We see the headlines everyday with young people making bad choices which is in fact ruining our island. It is important that we start investing in our young people and support CHARITY programs such as these from a YOUNG age.. NOT when they are 16 and have already developed negative traits. If our parents would start looking into getting young boys and girls involved in programs such as these, we would no doubt have more focused and positive youngsters. Sad to say, most of our parents are too busy with their own social lives to fit it in their schedule and would rather have the kids stuck in front of television or play stations! On the other hand, some are legitimately working 2 jobs to make ends meet this is the time to reach out to grandmas, godparents etc to help..it takes a village to raise a child. If we do not expose them at a early age to various options and only offer minimal investment… that is what you receive in return.
Wake up Bermuda! its not only the Government’s responsibility to invest in your kids… look at yourselves and ask, ” am i doing enough for my child?”- take the time to expose them to all aspects of different activities- you may be surprised how many great charity programs are out there that your children would enjoy.
Lastly, this has been a happy day for the TSV Cadets I am sure to get some help to return to their building- let’s keep it a positive thing for the youngsters as I am sure they are reading this article as well.
Thank Bermuda Gvt for responding to this cause! It was a good thing to do for our young people!