CDD Black Bess Resource Centre Reopens!
March 31, 2025
After being closed for the past four years, the refurbished air-conditioned Community Development Department’s Black Bess Resource Centre in St Peter has reopened. Acting Chief Community Development Officer, Mrs. Yolande Skeete says “there were several problems that contributed to its closure, which resulted in a dearth of activities in the community”.
Speaking at a Community Meeting in the Black Bess Resource Centre, Mrs. Skeete stated that since the Covid -19 pandemic in 2020, “two out of every three community centres in Barbados have either been repaired or retrofitted”. She urged the community members present “to take full care of the facilities, whilst utilising them to the maximum for programmes that are beneficial to all and sundry”.
“These facilities are to be fully accessible to all members of Black Bess and surrounding areas, use them well and care them and please don’t vandalise them”, Mrs. Skeete added. Noting that the Community Meeting was called to hear first hand from residents, about the programmes they want to see implemented in Black Bess. The Chief also encouraged attendees to share any concerns they had.
Also attending the community meeting was Minister Colin Jordan, Parliamentary Representative for St. Peter. In thanking the Community Development Department for bringing the Centre back online for community services, he noted that he was very happy to see the Black Bess Resource Centre functional again because it “adds value to the community.”
He too urged residents to take special care of the facilities noting that they “will work together at the community level, to ensure an adequate Centre Management Committee is put in place, to keep the centre running on evenings to the benefit of residents of the community”.
Residents expressed thanks to the Community Development Department and government for undertaking the repairs at a cost of almost 90 thousand dollars and stated that they were very keen in participating in programmes.
Interest areas shared included: cooking, bartending, hospitality and marine industries, care of the elderly, soap making, sports, line dancing, steel pan and the establishment of a group for seniors, amongst others.
Resident, Omar Worrell said “he is thrilled to see the facility operational again,” while Amira Cumberbatch stated that she wants programmes in place all year round for residents.
Peter Rochester feels “groups involving retirees are needed in Black Bess and other communities, given Barbados’ aging population” and he too wants to see courses for artisans to ensure young people in the area are gainfully employed.
Sports also came to the fore, with resident Charles Walker Jr. asking for “semi-professional football and cricket leagues set up in communities all across Barbados, as well as training in the marine and hospitality areas”.
Over two dozen residents attended the meeting.
