The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Trippe family legacy continues its philanthropic efforts in the South Eleuthera community and its latest initiative has focused on youth development through sports.

A state-of-the-art recreational court was unveiled Thursday, April 13 on the campus of the Wemyss Bight Primary School in Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera.

The approximately $200,000 project includes a regulation basketball court for junior high to adult players (92’ x 50’), two additional youth-sized multi-purpose courts and a nine-foot rock climbing wall.

The project was financed by William “Doug” Douglass, who in 1994 co-founded investment firm K2 Advisors, now part of Franklin Templeton Advisors.

Douglass has been coming to Eleuthera since 1962 and is the grandson of Pan Am Air Founder and South Eleuthera resident Juan Trippe, who died in 1981.

“For me, sports and this community and all the Bahamas is one building block that can allow the children and young adults of this community to do something that’s positive where they can have a chance for teamwork, a chance to stay out of trouble and have a chance to push themselves. I think Chris Brown, as a local product, is an example of what can be achieved if people are willing to push and are not afraid to fail,” Douglass said. “I consider this my home and it’s because of the leadership of my family. It was their leadership that has inspired me to continue to be here and continues to see what I might do and inspire all of you to do more for your community here in South Eleuthera. I came here as a child into the school with my grandmother when she was reading to the children and I grew up with so many of the kids that attended this school and I know the parents of the kids that attend the school today, it’s basically in my backyard, within two miles from my house.”

Following a brief ceremony, students played the first exhibition on the courts and the venue has already been tapped to host several events benefitting the surrounding communities in the near future.

“This is just a small thing, but I want it to be used by the entire community of all of Eleuthera and I want this to be an inspiration to others to do such projects in other settlements throughout this island, but also an example to do it in other out islands,” Douglass said. “I have a challenge for whoever becomes the next administration and that challenge is that I would like to see a partnership between, education, sport and private donations around the country to develop other facilities - whether its sailing, basketball, squash, baseball, track and field - all of those things need to be done but can be accelerated. This is just the beginning and there should be more.”

Wemyss Bight is also the home of one of the country’s most decorated Olympians and sporting icons of all time - Chris “Fireman” Brown.

Brown, who has a street named in his honour in the community, was on hand for the unveiling of the recreational court.

“The children of the community should be able to benefit from this. So many parents in the Bahamas are losing their children to gun violence but something like this gift should keep our kids inspired to become future Olympians, future NBA players, professional volleyball players and it’ll encourage them to stay away from the violence that is plaguing the country,” Brown said.

“Hopefully in the years to come, we will be able to see a track and field stadium here. We know that is something we are known for and we breed Olympians. I have been carrying the torch for a while and I’m hoping that before I pass that baton on to someone else, and someday before I pass away, I’m hoping that we will be back here someday to witness a stadium where we can host track and field events here in Eleuthera and make the Commonwealth proud.”

Recently, Brown assisted with the hosting of the Grenada Invitational and will return home this upcoming weekend to compete in the IAAF World Relays.

The world renowned quarter-miler has won four Olympic and four World Championship medals as a member of 4x400m relay teams.

He told the gathering of Wemyss Bight students that his dream, like theirs, began on that very campus.

“This is the beginning. This is where you sets your goals and your dreams. No matter who comes before you, no matter who comes before you and says you can’t do it, you can achieve those goals. I started here on this rock, this was the beginning for me, this is where I came from and I am returning home to show you guys that impossible is nothing as long as you put your goals first.

“No matter what negative things come before you, always stay focused, listen to coaches, teachers, parents and those who want the best for you.”

John “Giant” Carey and his Carey Construction Company were responsible for the construction of the project.

“I stand honoured that Carey’s construction could be a part of this. What I would like to see happen is to have synergy between our schools, churches and our hospitals in Eleuthera,” he said.

“There is nothing like this facility anywhere else in the Bahamas where I have been. When we have gifts and buildings, we have to maintain it. This is not just a basketball court, it is a tennis court, volleyball, and the rock climbing so it can serve a wide variety of purposes to reach more of our community.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson applauded the efforts by all invested stakeholders.

“It’s the work that goes on behind the scenes that we have to be thankful for. People call us a country, but the Bahamas is a sports power. The message on behalf of a grateful nation, this is what happens when you give back. The entire Bahamas benefits when individuals like Chris Brown and the Trippe family continue to give back to these communities.”