David Burt, the Premier, presented grants totalling almost $400,000 to nine community clubs yesterday.

Three sailboat clubs, Mid Atlantic Boat Club, East End Mini Yacht Club and West End Sailboat Club, were among them as they received funds to assist with essential upgrades to their facilities and for the purchasing of new equipment.

The action is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to supporting the community efforts of local organisations and projects aimed at getting unemployed and underemployed Bermudians back to work.

The awarding of grants to the three sailboat clubs is also in line with the Government’s promise to assist them in their preparation for SailGP next month and to help them with crucial upgrades to assist in their future operations.

Joining the Premier for the cheque presentations were the Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sport, Lawrence Scott, the Minister of Transport, Speaker of the House Dennis Lister and Members of Parliament Lovitta Foggo, Michael Weeks, Kim Swan and Anthony Richardson.

Mid Atlantic Boat Club was presented with a cheque for $50,000 to assist with capital upgrades to its building, including repairs to the rood and storage room.

East End Mini Yacht Club was presented with $50,000 to assist with renovations to its bathrooms, the alarm system and kitchen repairs, while West End Sailboat Club also received $50,000 to assist with building renovations.

Cheques were also presented to the following sports clubs:

• Flatts Victoria Recreation Club, $18,872 to assist with upgrades to its field and public bathrooms

• Paget Lions Club, $23,550 to assist with purchasing new landscaping and maintenance equipment, as well as a new shed to store equipment

• Somerset Cricket Club, $42,000 to assist with upgrades to upper-level flooring of the clubhouse

• Devonshire Recreation Club, $64,000. This is in addition to $36,000 awarded last September, which was used to begin roof and flooring repairs for the clubhouse. These additional funds will help to complete the work

• Harrington Workman’s Club, $50,000. This is in addition to the $50,000 presented last September, used to begin full renovations of the clubhouse

• St. David’s Cricket Club, $50,000. This is in addition to the $50,000 they were awarded in December which they used to upgrade their outdated electrical infrastructure

The Premier said: “In the 2020-21 budget, funding for capital development was set aside for community clubs to assist in the upgrade of their facilities. The Government encouraged clubs to apply and set out what they needed to continue doing essential work in their communities.”

He continued: “We certainly recognise that this has been an incredibly challenging time for our island. Our community and sports clubs have also struggled against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even with the adversities that this year has presented, these organisations managed to provide important services to their community.

“We believe it is important to extend our support where possible to these organisations and their programmes. They play an invaluable part in the communities they serve, and these funds will allow them to continue that work.”

Mark Steede, the president of Devonshire Recreation Club, said: “The committee of management of Devonshire Recreation Club, along with our members, would like to thank the Government of Bermuda for their financial assistance from the Capital Projects Fund.

“These funds will do a great deed, helping us with the construction at the club. It will make our dream become a reality to reopening our club in the not so distant future.”

Najee Musson, president of Harrington Workman’s Club, also expressed gratitude on behalf of the club for the funds received from the Government.

“We at Harrington Workman’s Club, also known as Cleveland County, are extremely grateful to the Government of Bermuda for a second grant of $50,000,” he said.

“As you can see when driving through Devil’s Hole, the work that we are undertaking at our club is vast. We are happy to be able to provide members of our community with jobs as we refurbish the meeting hub of our club and our neighbourhood. This money brings a refreshed and upgraded facility closer to reality.”

Céblé Crockwell, the president of St David’s County Cricket Club, said: “St David’s cricket club is extremely grateful for the opportunity afforded to us by this generous grant, which allows us to not only make the much needed improvements to our club but also affords us the opportunity to provide a better, safer, all-inclusive gathering spot for our members, community, and welcomed visitors.

“This grant comes at a time when everyone is struggling and St David’s County Cricket Club is grateful beyond measure for this gift. We thank the Bermuda Government, the Premier and Minister of Finance for their generous consideration of the island’s clubs.”

A total of $714,922 for capital development assistance has been awarded to date, with $68,700 made available from the Confiscated Asset Fund has been awarded thus far to support youth programmes.