$24 Million Multi-Purpose Centre Opens in Hayes

Some 60,000 residents from 14 communities along the Hayes corridor in Clarendon are benefitting from a newly constructed multi-purpose centre.

The facility, called the Wembley Centre of Excellence, was built at a cost of $24.3 million through funding from the Jamalco and Alcoa Foundation, as well as support in both cash and kind from various community stakeholders.

Boasting space of almost 4,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility contains a meeting hall, with seating capacity of 750; a home work centre with a library and reading area; an internet cafe; administrative offices; bathroom facility; a kitchenette; and a gym.

It will also offer services to the community such as computer training, counselling sessions, and home work classes. Plans are also in place for the construction of a multi-purpose hard court.

Speaking at the official handing over on Wednesday, May 8, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, told residents that the Government will be providing some 16 computers for use in the internet cafe.

“The Universal Service Fund has signed off on the project and this will enable you to very quickly establish your computer facility here,” he informed.

He encouraged the community members, both young and old, to make good use of the services offered at the centre. “I believe that the services that are to be offered will redound to the tremendous benefit of the community,” he stated.

Manager of Corporate Services and Government Affairs at Jamalco, Leo Lambert, informed that the facility was constructed over a period of nine months, with no cost overruns. He further pointed out that the project is the true embodiment of what can be achieved through partnership and unity.

Mr. Lambert informed that the Hayes facility represents one of three such centres that will be built in Jamalco operating areas, as part of the company’s social renewal programme.

He noted that a similar facility has already been built in Harmon’s Valley in Manchester, while funding has been approved for the construction of a third centre of excellence in Mocho, Clarendon.

He said that the maintenance and management of the facility will be controlled by the community members.

“A business plan has been developed as the [facility] is going to be self-sustaining and will be maintained through the community’s fund-raising efforts,” he stated.

Executive Director at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, Parris Lyew Ayee, for his part, commended Jamalco and the residents for working together to build the state-of-the-art facility, while the company’s Managing Director, Jerome Maxwell encouraged the community to protect the centre, “enjoy it and to make good use of its services”.

Chairman of the Refinery Community Council, Lorine Cousins, also expressed gratitude and appealed to the residents to “spread the good news about this centre. I want you to own this facility, it belongs to all of us and you are free to come in whenever you are ready.”

Sixty-four year old, Errol Kelly, a resident of Corn Piece district, said he would be making good use of the computer services.

Contact: Athaliah Reynolds-Baker