Commissioner Rolando Wilson (second right), Planning Bureau head Bobby Zagers (centre) and Planning Bureau project manager Evita Pronk (left) inspect the roof renovation at Sunny Valley Youth Center.
SABA--Commissioner Rolando Wilson, Planning Bureau head Bobby Zagers and Planning Bureau project manager Evita Pronk on Monday visited two projects currently in execution: the installation of the light poles at Johan Cruyff Court and renovation of the roof at Sunny Valley Youth Center in The Bottom.
The four light poles were put up at the sports field by contractor Saba Roads. The delivery of the light poles, manufactured on special order in the Netherlands, was delayed due to the COVID-9 pandemic.
All equipment is now in Saba to complete the installation of the lighting, said Zagers. The installation should be ready somewhere around mid-February after the pulling of the cables, the completing of electrical work and the placing of the LED lights on the light poles.
Four LED floodlights will be installed per light pole: 16 in total. This will provide enough light for persons who want to play sports like soccer and softball on the field in the evening hours. The project is a donation by Johan Cruyff Foundation, while LED floodlights are donated by Signify, formerly Philips Lighting.
Commissioner Rolando Wilson (third left), Planning Bureau head Bobby Zagers (right) and Planning Bureau project manager Evita Pronk (second left) at Johan Cruyff Court in The Bottom with one of the new light poles in the background.
Wilson said he was happy that the project was reaching completion. He said that with the lights installed people do not have to stop playing after the sun goes down.
“With a light system in place, the schools and different groups in the community can make use of the field in the evening hours. Playing sports, being active and staying healthy are extra important during a pandemic,” he said.
Wilson thanked Johan Cruyff Foundation and State Secretary of Public Health, Welfare and Sport Paul Blokhuis for supporting the project.
At the Sunny Valley Youth Center, work is progressing to reconstruct the roof. The roof was leaking and became weak, which is certainly not an ideal situation as the building is used as a hurricane shelter, explained Zagers.
The project, which should be completed in the second quarter of this year, is financed through Dutch government recovery funds. The contractor is Zagers Construction. Renovation of the building in 2014 did not include the roof.
Both the Sunny Valley and the Johan Cruyff Court projects are executed under management of the Planning Bureau.
Wilson inspected the roof on Monday, together with Zagers and Pronk. “I am pleased to see that the work is coming along. When the roof is finished in time for the hurricane season, we will have a completely safe shelter once again,” he said.
