Rotary Club commissions $3.2M Fort Ordinance Community Play Park

Children in the Fort Ordinance community, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), now have a modern and secure place to engage in co-curricular activities with the commissioning of the $3.2 million play park on Friday. The project spearheaded by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam was financed entirely through funds raised from its Fish Fry, Barbecue and Expo Cocktails fundraising events. Located adjacent to the Fort Ordinance Nursery School, the fenced facility is equipped with swings, seesaws, slides, climbing equipment, benches and other play structures, creating a secure recreational environment for children in the community. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, Roopnarine Hansraj, said the project represented far more than the construction of another recreational facility.

“Today, we celebrate more than the opening of a play park. We celebrate an investment in our children, our families, and our community,” Hansraj said. He explained that the play park was intended to become a place where children could build friendships, create lasting memories and simply enjoy being children in a safe environment.
“This park is a place where laughter will fill the air, friendships will be formed and memories will be created for years to come,” he said. Hansraj noted that the successful completion of the project demonstrated what could be achieved when people united behind a common vision of service. “We stand here as a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision to serve others,” he said. Thanking everyone who contributed to making the project a reality, Hansraj said the generosity and commitment shown by supporters had created a lasting legacy that would benefit generations of children. “To everyone who contributed to making this project a reality, thank you for your commitment and generosity. Your efforts have created a lasting impact that will benefit generations of children,” he said. Describing the facility as a symbol of hope and unity, Hansraj urged the community to view it as an investment in the future.

“As we officially commission this play park, let it serve as a symbol of hope, unity, and the belief that when we invest in our children, we invest in the future,” he said. He concluded by encouraging the community’s young people to dream beyond perceived limitations. “May this park bring joy to all who visit, and children always remember that the sky is not the limit,” Hansraj said.
Remarks were also delivered by the chairman of the Fort Ordinance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ramsundar Phagwah, and the headteacher of the Fort Ordinance Nursery School. The play park formed part of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam’s major community projects for the outgoing Rotary year. Over the years, the club has undertaken numerous initiatives across Region Six in the areas of education, health, youth development and community enhancement, reflecting Rotary’s long-standing motto of “Service Above Self”.