A ground-breaking ceremony was held today (Saturday. 9 December 2017) for the ropes challenge course being built by the YMCA with funds from the 2017 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge..

The event, which took place in April with around 2,000 participants, raised a record $85,000 from the walk/runs held in Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman.

“I am delighted that work has now begun on the ropes challenge course and that it will soon be up and running,” said Deputy Governor Franz Manderson. “The purpose of the DG’s 5K Challenge is to help projects such as this, which are of benefit to the community. We aim to be part of the solution to the many issues that we face in the Cayman Islands.”

Following this morning’s ground-breaking for the foundations, construction of the course is scheduled from 22 January until 3 February. The facility will be situated at the Field of Dreams, behind the Little League fields, across from the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.

The course will consist of ground-level structures, a 50-foot Alpine tower, and a 30-foot high giant’s swing with a 60-foot arch path.

Team exercises on the course provide an alternative to classroom-style learning in areas proven to increase self-esteem, confidence and team-building skills.

The facility will offer participants practical examples of ways to improve communication, awareness of themselves and others, and to gain leadership skills. In addition, the course will allow participants to overcome fears, insecurities, depression, and anti-social behaviour.

“We are thrilled that we have now broken ground and that construction of the ropes challenge course will begin next month,” said YMCA Chairman Andrew Johnson. “We intend the facility to be of benefit to everyone in the community, especially our young people. On behalf of the YMCA, I once again give a huge thank you to the Deputy Governor and his team for raising the money to make this possible.”

The ropes challenge course is slated to be on budget at around $80,000, with the support of CUC, which has donated electricity poles. The remainder of the money raised by the DG’s 5K Challenge paid for young people from the Brac to attend a YMCA camp in Grand Cayman in August.

The beneficiary of the 2018 DG’s 5K Challenge will be announced early in the New Year. Dates for the event have already been set as 16 April on Cayman Brac, 22 April on Little Cayman and 29 April on Grand Cayman.

IMAGES: (GIS)