G.C. Foster Gymnasium Being Refurbished

The gymnasium at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, is being rehabilitated at a cost of some $14 million.

Principal of the institution, Edward Shakes, told JIS that refurbishing work began late July this year and should be completed by the end of September.

“We are in the middle of replacing our floor and we will be doing extensive repairs to the roof. We hope it will be ready within the next two to three weeks, so as not to cause too much interruption in the first semester,” he said.

He said that the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) is expected to provide assistance for the roof work, which is not included in the overall cost.

Turning to other projects, Mr. Shakes said that plans are advanced for the upgrading of the institution’s pool.

Government has proposed the construction of a 50-metre pool, instead of the 25-metre facility that was originally suggested. “The idea is to have an alternative facility to the pool at the National Stadium,” Mr. Shakes informed.

“Our work so far has included the completion of the engineering designs for it and now we are basically at the point where we can start construction.  However, we need to accumulate more funds to be able to start that stage of the project,” he said.

Meanwhile, trained teachers can now pursue a part-time course in physical education at the college. A four-year part-time bachelor’s degree has been introduced, which will begin in October 2013. Currently, a three-year diploma in physical education is being offered by the college.

The principal said that the institution has started the process of getting the programme accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).