Loyal Hill playing field will soon be a hub of activity with new sporting and recreational facilities and a strong focus on the community.

Work is under way to refurbish the park, including putting in a BMX track, skateboarding and basketball facilities, and a community gardening programme. Once the plans are put into place, expected to be by May, there will be a revival of the regular community gatherings that were so popular at the site from the mid-1990s to early 2000s.

The Devonshire Community Field Trustees, formerly known as the Loyal Hill Community Association, has been at the forefront of the project, with help from the Parks Department and the Department of Youth and Sport, as well as several sponsors.

Chairman Keith Simmons said: “We used to do this way back in the day so we are reviving it.

“I get stopped probably on a bi-weekly basis by people asking me if we can revive this, whether we can revive the BMX racing — fathers saying they used to use the BMX track and now want their sons to.

“The community event will be a family event like back in the day. There was a group of us from the community and I was always heading it up as chair.

“We passed it on to a newer generation and that lasted for a little while, now us older guys are getting back together and putting it back together.

“Once the track is rebuilt we are looking to have a community day of BMX, basketball, skateboarding, arts and music, and having the young people come and help organise the event.”

The refurbishment is a costly exercise, Mr Simmons said. The group has received funds through the Bermuda Bicycle Association by the Union Cyclist International, the Bermuda Working Dog Club, Winner’s Edge and Cycle Care.

Mr Simmons said: “We also have poles being donated by Belco because we are looking at instituting a community garden programme — we have a large area for that.

“Then soon, now we have daylight saving, every Monday and Wednesday evenings you will find anywhere between 50 to 60 young men playing football, right up until Cup Match.

“For the BMX, there might be a programme of two months, racing every other weekend.”