RCS unveils plans for Commonwealth House

THE COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY OF BARBADOS is finally getting its own headquarters, to be named Commonwealth House.

The Government-owned Pine Plantation House on Pine Road, St Michael, which has been in a state of ruin for some years, has been leased to the organisation, also referred to as RCS Barbados. It will be restored and renamed to be a permanent home for the RCS which celebrates its 40th year of operation this year.

Plaque

President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, who is also patron and life member of RCS Barbados, joined Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey yesterday in the unveiling of a plaque to mark the commencement of restoration and transformation of the two-storey building and a single-storey annex, which together sit on one-and-a-half acres.

Chairperson Cheryll Belle said the creation of a home for RCS Barbados “and other like-minded Commonwealth-accredited organisations allows RCS Barbados and such organisations to better carry out the aspirations of Commonwealth Value No 16, The Role of Civil Society”.

She told the audience, which included Canadian High Commissioner Brenda Wills and RCS trustees and council members: “We envisage that the property, when renovated, will provide ample space on the ground floors to accomplish the objective and therefore permit us to rent the upper floor of the main building to generate income that will be needed to sustain the property.”

While thanking local benefactors for their contributions, Belle also appealed for private sector support for the venture, saying the RCS “has no money” as all charitable donations were spent on the purpose for which they were received.

She also acknowledged the donation received from the Ben Delo Foundation in Britain, to be used in Phase 2 of the restoration which will be done in four stages. Phase 1 has already been completed with the repair of the entire roof structure.

The RCA focuses most of its work on the youth of Barbados, Belle said, as it seeks “to engender confidence, encourage leadership skills and raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of young citizens”.

Botchwey, the newlyappointed seventh secretary general of the Commonwealth, acknowledged the role Dame Sandra has played in the RCS, including her support in education and youth empowerment.

“Your focus is consistent with the Commonwealth’s new strategic direction. One of my main and key goals is to leverage strategic partnerships to bring digital skills and entrepreneurship to millions of youth across the Commonwealth through distance learning,” Botchwey added.

(GC)

CHAIR of the RCS Cheryll Belle

(right) speaking with (from left) architect Geoffrey Ramsay, past RCS chair, quantity surveyor Miles Weekes, consultant The Most Honourable Richard Edghill

and engineer Andrew Hutchinson outside Pine Plantation House. (Picture by Reco Moore.)