Port Games Proceeds to Fund Refurbishing of St. James Infirmary
By: , May 23, 2014The Key Point:
The Facts
- The work is being undertaken as the community project for the annual Port Games.
- The weekend of activities around the Port Games will be held from June 6 to 9 in Montego Bay, St. James, involving participants from port authorities in 10 Caribbean islands.
The Full Story
The Port Authority of Jamaica’s Sports and Social Club, in collaboration with the Association of Sports and Cultural Clubs of Caribbean Port Authorities (ASCCCPA) is lending a helping hand to the St. James Infirmary by improving and expanding the wash area, and refurbishing the roof of the existing facility.
The project is expected to cost approximately $350,000.
In an interview with JIS News, Chairman of the 2014 Port Games Planning Committee, Captain Hopeton DeLisser explained that the work is being undertaken as the community project for the annual Port Games.
The weekend of activities around the Port Games will be held from June 6 to 9 in Montego Bay, St. James, involving participants from port authorities in 10 Caribbean islands.
Captain DeLisser who is also Vice President of Harbours and Port Services at the Port Authority of Jamaica, added that ground was broken for the project on Friday, May 17, with construction scheduled for completion by May 24.
“The ASCCCPA under whose umbrella the games are held, has mandated the host country to identify a suitable project within the environs of the games. This project becomes a part of the activities for the gathering of participants. We did an assessment of needs within the parish and we decided on the infirmary based on the findings,” he outlined.
On June 6, the facility will be handed over to the infirmary, which has a population of 65, and a staff complement of 33. The presentation will be done following painting work, which will be carried out by some 300 visiting participants.
The Port Games is an annual event of the ASCCCPA, which fosters social, sporting and cultural interaction among staff of port authorities within the region.
According to Captain DeLisser, “we have a commitment towards corporate goodwill and welfare and have every reason to believe that the parish council is appreciative of the effort”.
Port Games were last held in Jamaica in 2005. The Marie Atkins Poor Relief Home on Hanover Street benefitted from the proceeds, with the refurbishing of its kitchen and bathroom.