WORK on a million-dollar all-inclusive play facility at the Wildey Gymnasium is expected to start shortly.
The joint project between the Rotary Club of Barbados South and the Rotary Club West has been on the drawing board for the past two years, while local businesses have been contributing to Rotary’s massive fund-raising effort for its construction.
Internationally acclaimed singing group Air Supply have joined those contributing to the project, pledging to donate part of the proceeds from their May 19 concert being staged at the Gymnasium. The show’s promoter Al Gilkes said it was customary for the group to contribute to a charity wherever they performed, and the All-Inclusive Play Project was selected for Barbados.The group will also perform in Guyana and Trinidad.
Multi-use facility Speaking at a Press conference to promote the Air Supply show Thursday, president of the Rotary Club of Barbados South, Sonia Alleyne, said Government had provided 25 000 square feet of land on which the facility would be built. She described it as a “multi-purpose, multi-use facility for children of all abilities”. The building will be outfitted with a sensory room and a playroom and there are plans for a well equipped play park.
Alleyne echoed sentiments expressed by representatives of the concert’s co-sponsors Digicel and the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, who all said they were excited about having Air Supply perform in Barbados. Succession of hits The British-Australian soft rock duo has had a succession of hits worldwide ever since they burst on to the entertainment scene in late 1970s, and have sold in excess of one hundred million albums. Hits like All Out Of Love, Even The Nights Are Better and Every Woman In The World remain favourites with their generation and have even attracted the fancy of a younger generation.
The group comprises British guitarist and vocalist Graham Russell and Australian lead vocalist Russell Hitchcock. They will be accompanied by their band and other singers. It is the second time that Air Supply will be performing in Barbados. Barbadian entertainers NexCyx, Tamara Marshall and Marisa Lindsay will share the Air Supply stage. NexCyx lead singer Mahalia said it was an honour for her group to be included on a show with such renowned musicians. (GC)
