Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake assisted the youths of St. Peters and Simpson Bay Village with respect to temporary backboards for the basketballs courts in two districts.
Permanent boards are scheduled to arrive at the end of July or early August. Public Works will install the backboard at the Simpson Bay Village court on Thursday.
“I am a community oriented person and I love sports. I heard about the plight of these youngsters in the two districts and I just wanted to get them back on the court.
“Even though sports are not my portfolio, I listen to the youth. Schools are closed and you have young people on holiday. In the Bible it says, ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.’ In order to keep our young people busy and out of trouble, I saw a need and I assisted by working with other community minded people.
“This was a community effort, and I would like to thank David Forsythe who has been very instrumental in spearheading this project to get permanent replacement backboards through the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation and funded by USONA.
“I would also like to thank Louis Richardson from St. Peters who trains and develops the youngsters who come out to play basketball. The Dutch Marines also volunteered their time to do community work in the district and helped with the installation of the backboard in St. Peters,” Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Monday.