The Minister of Education, Jerome Fitzgerald; principal of the Beacon School, Miriam Sweeting; Loretta Butler-Turner, MP receives gift from a Beacon School student; and bottom right, Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama Island. Photos: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com

Freeport, Bahamas - At a cost of approximately $200,000, the Beacon School of Grand Bahama received an exterior refurbishment, new playground and garden this month thanks to the Rotary Club of Lucaya, under the presidency of  Billy Jane Ferguson. The Beacon School educates special needs students from across the island of Grand Bahama.  The playground was dedicated to the late Steven Dillet, Former Rotary Club of Lucaya president. The sole benefactor of the project was Grand Bahama resident and Rotarian Karen Clarke, President / CEO of Thayers Natural Remedies.

A dedication ceremony took place on the school grounds on May 18th with the Minister of Education, Science & Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald; Minister of Grand Bahama, Michael Darville; Senator Tanysha Tynes; Loretta Butler Turner, Deputy head of the FNM (loyal opposition) and Member of Parliament representing Long Island; Peter Turnquest MP East Grand Bahama;  Neko Grant, MP Central Bahamas; other government and civic dignitaries; school officials, students and families;  and Rotarians.

The new modern oasis took shape under the careful guidance of president elect, Christine van der Linde, Project Director, and the generous help of many volunteers from the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Blue Water Pools, and individuals from the community. The team first reinforced the large playground area with retaining walls and fill thanks to Gold Rock. New fencing was put in with Guardian Fencing providing repairs to the old ones, and the exterior of the school was repainted. A new gate from Syngad was place at the entrance to the school providing a safe environment away from motor vehicles.

The entire school grounds were landscaped and a 'Serenity Garden' was put in. The basketball court was repaired by Kevin Wildgoose, and beautiful special needs state-of-the-art playground equipment was installed. Even children in wheelchairs may now swing, go on merry go rounds, etc. Rotary Club of Lucaya had thought of everything, and even a maintenance committee has been appointed as well as an insurance policy for fire, theft etc.

"There are no words that can express our gratitude today.  We are in awe, and humbly say, thank you," said Miriam Sweeting, Principal, the Beacon School. "Our children now have a new play-home where they can play safely."

Murals were also painted on the walkways by Toyah Saunders, Donvario Duncomve, and Quinton Russell  for the children to learn the different islands of the Bahamas. Mark Wilson carved the wood for the murals.

The beautiful newly refurbished school grounds, garden and play facility for the Beacon School. Photos: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com

Evan Cartwright, a landscape architect from the Port Authority designed the landscaping to ensure that not one tree, shrub or plant would endanger the students - nothing poisonous nor with thorns. Gabby DiNardo of Lucaya Nursery moved mountains to get the plants, trees, shrubs and rolls of grass required for completion by Dedication Day. Martin van der Linde designed and built benches to watch track events or the students at play. It was all a huge team effort.

Keynote speaker Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education offered the following comments, "I am honoured to be a part of an occasion that causes me overwhelming joy... The opening of the Steven Dillett Playground is one of the greatest acts of love and service that I have experienced since my appointment as Minister. It causes my heart to burst with pride to see the length and breadth that members of the Rotary Club of Lucaya have gone to fulfill a promise to honour their former president, the late Steven Dillet. We may have come here today to witness and celebrate the opening of a playground for the students at The Beacon School, but I am sure you are all fully aware that it is more than that.  This is about genuine love and service...love and service directed toward children, who are indeed special." 

"When I heard of the energy and finances that the Rotary Club invested, it caused me to reflect on what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 25, verse 40, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.' Members of the Rotary Club of Lucaya, namely Rotarian Karen Clarke,  I applaud you for the service which you have given."

( See our complete photo album by David Mackey / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

Patron and Rotarian, Karen Clarke provides remarks. Photo: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com

Top: Billy Jane Ferguson, President, Rotary of Lucaya; Bottom: Christine van der Linde in President Elect and Project Manager; and bottom right, Rotarian Lisbeth Knowles gives patron Karen Clarke a token of appreciation. Photos: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com

The sign unveiling. Left to right: Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Loretta Butler-Turner, Deputy head of the loyal Opposition, MP, Long Island; Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Right side: Mrs. Heather Dillet, widow of Steven M. Dillet; Billy Jane Ferguson, President, Rotary Club of Lucaya; Karen N. Clarke, Benefactor & Member of Rotary Club of Lucaya; Christine Fields van der Linde, Project Manager & Member of Rotary Club of Lucaya; Miriam Sweeting, Principal of The Beacon School; Father Michael Gittens, Rector of the Church of the Ascension; and Sandra Edgecombe, Deputy Director of Education, Grand Bahama (Photo: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com)

The volunteers that made it happen! (Rotary of Lucaya Photo)

All the children at Beacon School now have a safe place to play. Left to Right: Ed Pavey GB Shipyard, member Rotary Club of Lucaya; Jackie Russell, Rotary Club of Lucaya; Karen Clarke, benefactor, Rotary Club of Lucaya; Christine Field van der Linde, Project Manager, Rotary Club of Lucaya; and Little boy Joey Photo: David Mackey, TheBahamasWeekly.com

To view the Dedication Booklet listing all acknowledgements, please click on the link below:

Click to download the attached file(s):
• SMD_Final_booklet12.pdf

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