Flooding of underground shelter (1)

With reference to the letter by Fr Mark Cauchi (January 2), concerning the underground shelter beneath St Augustine's parish church in Valletta, Fr Mark is right in expressing his concern about this recent flooding within the shelter, but I wish to state the following facts that he might not be aware of:

Use of the crypt which in 1975 was converted into a parish centre is still very ongoing. Cultural and community activities are held there very regularly from Wednesday to Sunday each week, as well as during Easter, Christmas and the St Augustine feast periods and during other liturgical feasts. These range from meetings for the elderly parishioners, youth group meetings, recreation and parties for children from the parish, prayer groups, sponsored parties hosted by the parish for the lesser fortunate to exhibitions on religious themes, church bazaars, conferences by certain Valletta clubs and societies and other related functions.

About four months ago, our Provincial Fr Lucian Borg o.s.a. approved the formation of a committee to rehabilitate the centre (crypt), shelter and environs into a cultural and historical complex. A thorough clean-up of these locations was carried out, the whole complex was photographed and measured and a brief was prepared for the intended works. The complex was also visited by the Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and other distinguished officials.

Preparations for an application for possible EU funding for the project under Culture 2007 and the government's Structural Funds are well under way. Advice and cooperation was also received from the Valletta Rehabilitation Project through its executive director Ray Bondin.

Meanwhile, a search was made for other similar projects within the EU to establish a twinning programme with related objectives. A method statement and a planning application will soon be submitted to Mepa for the implementation of the required structural works, inclusive of new electrical, audio-visual and ventilation systems, sanitary facilities and other requirements.

Finally, one must not forget the long hours that a handful of helpers from the parish and other friends have dedicated from their own free time in order to make all this possible. However, work now requires a professional and legal approach.

Urgent action by the responsible entities is required as the recent flooding problem has set the project back many months and will recur unless the cause and source are located.