Recreation & Sports staff to paint courts at schools managed by AEP

The agreement between the two agencies states that the Public Buildings Authority will be providing the Recreation and Sports Department with all the paint and materials necessary to paint the basketball/volleyball courts, as well as for cleaning and preparation for the paint job.

By The Star Staff

Public Buildings Authority (AEP by its Spanish initials) Executive Director Yamil Ayala Cruz announced on Wednesday that he has signed a collaborative agreement with the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD) to paint the basketball/volleyball courts at about 100 public schools under the purview of the AEP.

“The Department of Recreation and Sports has the staff to paint the courts with the specifications for the practice of basketball and volleyball in schools,” Ayala Cruz said in a written statement. “The employees of the Department of Recreation and Sports have done an extraordinary job in collaboration with some municipalities for the return to school and we want to replicate that work in our schools.”

Recreation and Sports Secretary Ray Quiñones Vázquez added that “with this Agreement we ensure that our courts will be ready for games at the beginning of classes.”

“Our regional directors will be in charge of the labor to paint 100 courts around Puerto Rico,” he said. “Once again we demonstrate the importance of working alliances like this that are of great benefit for the development of our students.”

The agreement between the two agencies states that the AEP will be providing the DRD with all the paint and materials necessary to paint the courts, as well as for cleaning and preparation for the paint job. Meanwhile, the DRD will be responsible for the workforce, as provided in the agreement, which is valid until June 30, 2024.

Ayala Cruz noted that AEP workers will continue to carry out general repairs that include electrical and plumbing work, repair of bathrooms and air conditioners, and installation of lights, among other tasks, within the work plan that was established with extended work days, including holidays and weekends.

“I recognize the work of our fellow workers of the Public Buildings Authority and the effort they have put into completing the work to have schools fit for the return to classes,” Ayala Cruz said. “I appreciate the commitment and effort they have shown in completing the assigned tasks in the time we have set for ourselves.”