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Joined: Jan 2008
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New Look for Old Football Field

After a story was published a couple weeks back (not in Ambergris
Today) about turning part of the old football field (Saca Chispas)
into a parking lot, many residents were outraged and concerned about
the loss of a field that is very useful to the community. Many do not
agree with it being turned into a parking lot.


We decided to address this issue to the Town Council and found out
that a certain "Private Investigator" was not thorough with his
investigations. We learned about the real plans for Saca Chispas Field
and were pleasantly surprised at the beautiful plans the Mayor Paz and
the Town Board has for the field.


Last year in January 2007 architecture students from Montana State
University met with Town Official where they proposed a project to
renovate the Boca del Rio and Football Field. In speaking with Mayor
Elsa Paz, she elaborated to Ambergris Today that indeed the football
field project will be taking place, and also clarified that the field
will not be used as the Town's Parking Lot.


Mayor Paz stated that the initial plans presented by the MSU students
included a new football field and renovated docks, a public market
area for vendors and to bring Angel Coral Street across the field
permanently so as to alleviate traffic congestion. This plan has been
revised by an architect in Orange Walk and a new plan has emerged
similar to the original one proposed.


Plans include moving the current field approximately 130 feet west
into the lagoon; keeping the field the same dimension as it is
currently imperative. The docks and road which lie to the west of the
field would also be moved further into the lagoon.


The east side of the field would have some vendors' outlets as well as
a small parking lot, with a maximum capacity of 12 golf carts. Both
the west side and east side of the field will be like a vendor's
market area as well BTB's office will be located in the area.


This plan to renovate the football field will be presented to the
Belize Tourism Board in its budget presentation in June and the
project is set to cost 6 million dollars which hopefully they will be
able to finance and have the project become a reality.


In regards to have a proper parking lot on the island, Mayor Paz did
mention that a well known businessman on the island has proposed a
plan to the Town Council to use his own properties to build a public
parking complex.


She continued by saying that the Town Council fully supports this
project and if all goes well they plan on setting laws where no
parking will be allowed ion Barrier Reef Drive and Pescador Drive.
Exceptions will be made for construction and a limit of 15 minutes
will be allowed for one to park; otherwise all parking will be
diverted to this new parking lot in town. Both parking lot and
Football Field projects are great plans for the island and hopefully
they will commence early next year.


The street rehabilitation project is almost completed. Coconut Drive
has been finished (Island Supermarket to Victoria House) and the main
town core is almost complete. In speaking with Mayor Paz she mentioned
to Ambergris Today that the street project will continue next year
since they have other streets in mind which they want to pave.


"After Angel Coral Street and Almond Street are finished all heavy
traffic, which include heavy machinery and cargo vehicles, will be
directed to the back street," commented Mayor Paz. "These vehicles
will not be allowed to pass on Pescador Drive since it is a law. The
Town Council will be enforcing this law and is hoping to get Barrier
Reef Drive included as well."


According to Mayor Paz, any heavy vehicle caught on Pescador Drive
will be fined for doing so; they will be allowed to be on the street
with special permission but not on an everyday basis.


The Town Council along with the Central Government will be working on
financing the road from the Roundabout to the Boca Del Rio Bridge. The
Town Council is also working on another project to pave other streets
on the island which will include Lions Street (Airstrip Area by Maya
Island), Swan Street (Tropic Cargo to Bayside Bar), Tropical Wave
Street (By ABC Pre- School), Chicken Street (By Hakal Kiik) and
Trigger Fish Street (El Fogon) and eventually Seagrape Drive.


Mayor Paz will keep us informed as to when the project is set to
begin, so keep on reading your favorite newspaper for more information
as it becomes available.


Municipal Pier to be Renovated


After receiving this photo via email from one of our readers who
caught these people driving their golf cart up the municipal pier, we
contacted the San Pedro Town Council for some answers.


It is definitely illegal to drive up the municipal pier, more so on
the beach. Authorities need to monitor the beach area as many
motorists can be seen driving up and down from Atlantic Bank all the
way up to Cholo's Sports Bar. Traffic on the beach will definitely
deteriorate our beaches. The good news is that Mayor Paz informed us
of plans to renovate the pier. More details below:


The San Pedro Town Council has plans on renovating the Municipal pier
and making it a tourist attraction. Mayor Paz informed Ambergris Today
that they have plans of elongating the pier and placing a light house
at the end.


Plans for the lighthouse are for it to have an aquarium with access to
the top to view the magnificent scenery from above. A small fee is
planned to have access to the lighthouse and vendors will be allowed
to sell their products on the pier.


Mayor Paz says that the Town Council would like to make this possible
so that tourists have another attraction to enjoy, added to
snorkeling, diving and other island amenities.


"Many tourists go up the municipal pier and take pictures," commented
Mayor Paz. "Beautifying it would make it much more attractive and
bring some income to properly maintain it."


After what must have seemed like a lifetime for the young students of
Ambergris Caye Elementary (ACES) the playground that was months in the
planning was finally completed on Thursday, May 15.


The new playground was inaugurated in Friday, May 23, in a small
ceremony headed by the students who gave thanks to all the parents,
businesses and organizations that made their playground a reality. In
particular, Rob and Taz Ackerly were given a plaque for spearheading
the fundraising drive and looking out for the needs of the school.


Paved streets, parking lots, renovated soccer field, renovated town pier, new school playground......what's next?

Direct international arrivals? (Pun intented)




Last edited by Belize-N-Us; 05/30/08 12:53 PM.

Future full time Belizeans
Tommy & Sonia Blackledge
Magee, MS 601-849-1918
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,281
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Thanks BNU for the report. All seems to be GOOD NEWS.


"Hold on Tight To Your Dreams" ELO
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,733
Offline
Great report. Only part left out was the installing of parking meters and hiring of meter maids to enforce the 15 minute rule and the city council is asking for donations of those contraptions that go on the tires to prevent moving the vehicle to be used for repeat offenders.

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,880
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I liked how they were moving everything out into the lagoon.


A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?


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