Farnum Ground Must Remain a Safe Multi-Use Recreational Space for Everyone

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