Residents of Marchand were gifted with connectivity to the wider world with the launch of the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Community Wi-Fi Project at Mindoo Phillip Park on Friday.
This broadband connectivity initiative is spearheaded by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) and will provide free high-speed internet access to two iconic fields in Castries and nearby residents.
The Marchand Playing field is the other beneficiary.
Stakeholders include Sports St. Lucia Inc., which will manage the sports facilities, and Cable and Wireless St. Lucia (FLOW), which is the contracted service provider.
Cited as “a gateway to progress” by NTRC Chairperson Mary Polius, the introduction of internet access at the two facilities enables young athletes and community members to gain enhanced access to online learning materials, e-sports opportunities, and immediate coaching tools.
Additionally, residents—many of whom fall into the low-income bracket—will also be able to connect to the wider world.
Among the guest speakers at Friday’s opening ceremony was Parliamentary Representative for Castries East and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. While he admitted that he had no direct involvement in the initiative, Pierre noted that he welcomed the historic project.
“Right now, a child who lives on George Charles Boulevard has the same access as a child who lives in Shanghai, China, and that’s a very powerful thing,” Pierre said. “In the hierarchy of needs, telecommunications and access to the internet will become one of these needs.”
The project is valued at approximately EC$170,000 and will be subsidised by the USF for five years, concluding in 2029.
