Ministry of Youth, Sport & Culture

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Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Senator Warren Newby (second right), breaks ground for the construction of a prototype youth centre to be operated by the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), at Brooks Park, Mandeville. Participating from left are: Member of the Brooks Park Development Committee, Maurice Hyman; Deputy Mayor of Mandeville, Council Erwin Facey; Mayor of Mandeville, Councillor Brenda Ramsay; and Member of the Development Committee, Councillor McArthur Collins.

Ground was broken Wednesday (September 30) for a prototype Youth Information Centre (YIC) for Manchester, on lands donated by the Parish Council.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Her Worship the Mayor of Mandeville, Councillor Brenda Ramsay, said that the construction of the Centre is part of the development project for the Brooks Park property.

"This is part of what we will see when the total development of Brooks Park takes place. We are deeply appreciative to the Koreans; you made your commitment and you have kept it," Mayor Ramsay lauded.

"We are also grateful that the focus of the Government on youth has continued, because without the youth our future is dim. For those of you who will be employed on this site, give of your best, and be disciplined," she commended.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Senator Warren Newby, noted that the Centre will be operated by the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), and is part of efforts to empower young people across the island.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Senator Warren Newby (right), listens to a member of the Brooks Park Development Committee, Maurice Hyman (left), explaining plans to develop the huge property owned by the Manchester Parish Council. They were on a tour of the park after breaking ground for the construction of a prototype youth centre funded by the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA). Looking on are Councillor McArthur Collins, and Director of youth policy at the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), Roberta Brown-Ellis.

"This project is a significant milestone in our efforts to have one full capacity YIC in each parish, and is part of our ongoing effort to create youth empowerment, through the use of information. We intend to build, at least, one satellite youth information centre in each constituency that falls within the parish, over a five-year period," Senator Newby stated.

He told the gathering that the Centre is "a social asset" which must be protected, in order to make a shift in the lives of future generations.

Construction is slated to be completed in 12 months. The completed Centre will accommodate over 1,500 each month, and will be staffed with two youth empowerment officers and other personnel.

Funding for the project is provided by the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

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