Dear Editor
It remains elusive why the Mayor & City Council is advocating so heavily for Mae’s Schools to stay on 10 house lots comprising Farnum Ground. On the two occasions that the M&CC met with the residents of Subryanville, after apologizing for no consultation with or consideration for the community, they went on to justify Mae’s Schools being given rent-free usage of Farnum Playfield, as the rentals were too high for the school to pay.
Mae’s Schools is a fee-paying, for-profit business that operates a school. It was reported that 2,000 students attend the schools. Grade 3 fees alone are about $85,000 per student per term, or $255,000 per year. Fees vary by grade, therefore some fees are lower and some higher. Now, why does Mae’s Schools need rent free accommodation on public lands? Why does Mae’s Schools, which previously occupied 3 house lots, need to exclusively occupy in excess of 10 house lots at the expense of the residents and public? In reality, Mae’s Schools will be using the remaining ground as a playfield— effectively occupying the entire ground of 24 lots.
The occupation of Farnum Ground by a private business is not only unjustifiable but raises questions about safety. When alternative accommodation was being sought, the Ministry of Education did not identify Farnum Ground as an option. Why is it now considered suitable? The prefab school still being constructed is an active construction area, with the nursery and/or primary school already operating on this construction site. Has the Ministry of Education certified this? While some parents share these sentiments— “I am comfortable with my children being there at the time of construction. I don’t know since when the danger of the children is a factor to parents who don’t have children in that school” – others may prefer adherence to health and safety regulations.
The government recently announced the launch of the City Revival Plan to restore Georgetown to the Garden city. While the plan calls for the creation of more recreational and green spaces, Farnum Ground already provides a safe, multi-use recreational space for athletes, youth, and children. Yet the M&CC remains insistent that the for-profit business, Mae’s Schools, be allowed exclusive use to construct a building on almost half of Farnum Ground.
The residents of Subryanville endorse the creation of more recreational & green spaces. Farnum Ground is a valued recreational space, supporting the health and wellbeing of several communities through access to sports, exercise, and play. The City Revival Plan itself demonstrates the importance of community spaces like Farnum. We therefore call for the return of Farnum Ground in its entirety, so that it can continue to serve as a prime example of what a community recreational space should be.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Deane-Hughes Sabine McIntosh
Dominic Fernandes Saskia Wijngaarde
Jonathan Fernandes Bonita Harris
Rene Edwards
Christina Edwards
Vidyaratha Kissoon Alan Fernandes
Lianne Sears
Kevin Sears
Ingrid Clarke
Mohamed Qualander Raphael DeGroot
Kerri DeGroot
Mohamed Bacchus Johnette Gonsalves Robert Fernandes
Zach Gonsalves
Celica Nawbatt
Stuart Gonsalves
Amrita Singh
Clair Pestano
Tunuja Persaud
Michael Fernandes Cathryn Xavier
Peter Michael DeGroot Leah DeGroot
Stephen Fraser
Dominique Fraser
Alysa Xavier
Joe Mekdeci
Kelly Mekdeci
Stephen Fernandes Alana Gonsalves
Darlene Persaud
Christine Persaud
Dianna Stuger-Shepherd David Fernandes
Juanita Fernandes
Dale Persaud
Selina Edwards
Patrick DeGroot
Mark Fernandes
Tracy Vieira
Alfred Mekdeci
Patricia Bacchus
Peter DeGroot
Camille DeGroot Shad Fernandes Marisha Fernandes Jean François Gerin Sean Gonsalves Paul Nunes
Debra Nunes
