Cultural Centre Opens in Montego Bay

Montego Bay, the second city, now has a Cultural Centre, as the facility was officially opened in Sam Sharpe Square, on Friday, July 11.

Formerly the Montego Bay Civic Centre, the facility has undergone major refurbishing, courtesy of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).  The centre houses an art gallery, a museum, a space for the performing arts, a bistro, an artisan village and a gift shop.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, who opened the facility, said the initiative to transform the former centre was a visionary one.

He  said the centre resulted from the collaborative effort of the TEF, the St. James Parish Council,  the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).

“The Tourism Enhancement Fund  has been dedicated to fulfilling its mission of promoting growth and development in the tourism sector, recognizing that tourism does not exist in a vacuum, but is closely linked to various other sectors important to national development, and improving the quality of life of Jamaicans,” the Minister said.

He pointed out that, to date, the TEF has contributed $109 million to refurbish the centre.

The Minister said the facility belongs to the people of Montego Bay, and urged them to protect it.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott, said the opening of the facility is of major significance, not only to the creative arts sector, but to the overall development of Montego Bay.

He noted that the rebranded facility will give rise to more major events being held in the city.