Sunday, June 7, 2026
Sunday, June 7, 2026
$13M boost for West Ruimveldt as new recreational space opens
Residents of West Ruimveldt have welcomed a significant upgrade to their local community infrastructure following the official handover of the Gill House Square recreational space.
The project, valued at approximately G$13 million, was spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to provide a modern, safe environment for both competitive and casual athletes in the community.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, who officially commissioned the facility, stated that the development was a direct result of community consultations aimed at “placing the needs of residents at the forefront” of urban renewal.
The transformation of the square includes several key upgrades designed to facilitate evening sports and community safety.
Key development works at the facility include installing lights, constructing and painting a basketball court with basketball rings, marking and preparing a football playing area, installing a perimeter fence, and creating a designated parking area to better accommodate facility users.
The handover was attended by Minister of Labour and Manpower, Keoma Griffith, himself a native of neighbouring East Ruimveldt.
Griffith used the platform to highlight that the new space would act as a gateway for broader social empowerment, offering residents access to skills training and employment initiatives through his ministry.
To ensure the investment’s longevity, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, facilitated the donation of waste management facilities, emphasising the community’s role in maintaining the new venue.
The West Ruimveldt project is the latest in a string of community-level investments across Guyana aimed at decentralising high-quality sporting facilities.
Officials noted that additional plans are already “in the pipeline” to enhance similar spaces in surrounding communities, as the government seeks to foster youth engagement through structured recreation.
