Statement by Ben Smith, Shadow Sports Minister
The Port Royal situation exposes a deeper problem with the PLP Government’s priorities.
At a time when the Minister has allocated a significant portion of the new sports budget increase to public golf courses, Bermudians are now being told they must pay sharply higher fees to use those same facilities. That is a double hit to the taxpayers that are funding the system, and then being priced out of it.
What makes this worse is the complete breakdown in trust. An entire members’ committee has resigned, their proposals were ignored, and there are serious questions about transparency, including the absence of up-to-date audited financial statements. Bermudians are being asked to pay more without being shown the full picture.
Public golf courses should be accessible community assets, not increasingly exclusive spaces. If government believes higher fees are necessary, then it must justify that decision with clear financial evidence, proper consultation, and a plan that protects access for seniors, juniors and everyday Bermudians.
Right now, this looks like a Government that is out of touch investing heavily in one area of a sport, while making it harder for people to actually participate.
