New Athletic Track Opens at West End Primary School

The Premier and Minister for Finance, Education, District Administration & Lands and Cabinet Office, Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, officially opened a new three-lane athletic track at the West End Primary School on Friday (17 May) with a brief ceremony attended by several dignitaries and community members.

Acting Chief Officer for the Ministry of Education, Ms. Lyneth Monteith, gave opening remarks. She emphasised the track’s significance beyond athletics, stating, “It is more than just a track; it is a gift to the entire community and offers a space for families to bond over exercise and residents to pursue fitness goals.”

Ms. Monteith also noted that the investment goes beyond physical fitness, “It is about well-being. It’s nurturing confidence, fostering teamwork and work, and instilling valuable life lessons for future generations.”

Drawing on her athletic background, Premier O’Connor-Connolly stressed the importance of sports opportunities and the government’s commitment to providing proper facilities. She remarked, “This government and previous governments have provided you with the requisite and significant outlay of financial investment so you can have the proper facilities not just in the classroom but out here as well…may it be a lighthouse in the West End community for all to utilise, maximise and get the best potential out of this facility”.

The oval asphalt track, which spans a circumference of 200 metres in adherence to World Athletics standards, was constructed in collaboration with Scott’s Development and the Public Works Department.

The Principal of West End Primary School, Mrs. Susan Aaron-Abel, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the various stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in bringing the project to fruition.

The event culminated with a symbolic ribbon cutting, the unveiling of the official plaque and the inaugural student relay race on the new track.

Those in attendance included Acting Deputy Governor, Mrs. Gloria McField-Nixon; Minister for Youth, Sports and Heritage, the Hon. Isaac Rankine; Member of Parliament for Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman, Mr. Moses Kirkconnell; DES Director Mr. Mark Ray (emcee), Deputy Director Mr. Elroy Bryan, Acting Deputy Director Mrs. Tammy Hopkins, District Commissioner, Mr. Mark Tibbetts, Deputy District Commissioner, Ms. Chelsea Whittaker, representatives from the MoE, DES, and Public Works Department, staff, students, parents, and community members.

To learn more about the Ministry of Education, visit www.gov.ky/education .