Montego Bay,10 November 2018 (JIS) - The Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge has officially opened a Community and Sport Centre in Orchard, Hopewell, Hanover, on November 9.

The facility was constructed by Hanover Charities at a cost of $64 million, in partnership with The Tryall Fund, Mafessanti Builders, Junior Chamber International Hopewell, and the Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation.

In his address at the opening ceremony, the State Minister said the centre could be the training ground for the next generation of star athletes in Jamaica.

“Sports is an important asset to our nation. It is also an important aspect of Jamaica’s development,” he said, citing the exploits of sprinters, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Asafa Powell.

“These individuals have brought much fame and glory and have elevated brand Jamaica. It sends a message that sports is a tool to inspire and motivate our young boys and girls, showing them that no matter where they are from, they can achieve great things. This (sports and community) centre could give birth to the next great Jamaican athlete,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

The facility was hailed by the State Minister as a great project, “which will become a robust training facility for the youth of Western Jamaica, as well as a central location at which parenting and other useful seminars can be held”.

For her part, Chairperson of Hanover Charities, Katrin Casserly, said she was pleased with the outcome of the project, and implored residents of Orchard to take advantage of opportunities that will be presented at the centre and to take care of the facility, as “it is for the benefit of the community, and the youth in particular”. 

The two-storey building houses a community centre, homework centre, computer room and the Lennox Lewis League of Champions boxing gym. There are also a football field and basketball and netball courts at the location.

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