Story Created:
Mar 20, 2013 at 11:55 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Mar 22, 2013 at 7:11 AM ECT
Like a thief in the night, the San Fernando City Corporation yesterday demolished the 90-year-old former headquarters of the Coterie of Social Workers on Coffee Street, San Fernando.
San Fernando dramatist James Lee Wah described the demolition of the landmark building as "an act of municipal vandalism and a total disregard for the history of San Fernando and its build heritage".
Lee Wah said the Coterie, over the years, was regarded as the life of San Fernando, standing as it did in one of the most prestigious positions in the city.
"I am personally upset at the action of the Council and I propose to campaign for legislation to prevent anyone from destroying buildings that qualify to be heritage buildings," said Lee Wah.
Demolition of the building began early yesterday morning.
When contacted, San Fernando Mayor Navi Muradali said he was not aware that the building had been demolished.
"That is news to me. I will have to find out from the engineer what was the rationale," Muradali told the Express last night.
The building, in which hundreds of children received free meals, was built some 90 years ago.
"The Briarend Pattern", which is the story of the work done by the Coterie, states: "The San Fernando Borough Council gave an allowance of $1,200. The council rents the land on which the building is located at a rate of one dollar per year."
Several years ago the building was used for dance classes and other social activities.
The Coterie was the brainchild of Lystra Charles who had received the MBE for her work among underprivileged children.
