Ground Broken for Multimillion-Dollar Olympic Way Cultural Community Centre

Residents of Olympic Gardens in St. Andrew West Central are set to benefit from a new state-of-the-art community cultural centre, to be constructed at a cost of approximately $127 million.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Wednesday (December 4), broke ground for the Olympic Way Cultural Community Centre, which is slated to be built over nine months with financing from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

The centre, which will be designed to accommodate 500 to 700 persons, will serve as a multipurpose facility for cultural events, training opportunities and sports activities.

It is also intended to serve as an emergency centre during periods of natural disaster.

Addressing the ceremony to break ground at the project site, located at 119B Olympic Way, Dr. Holness, who is also Member of Parliament for the area, said the new facility will strategically enhance and reinforce ongoing developments in the community and wider constituency, driving further growth and advancement.

“In terms of the existing civic centre, it is already used quite often for training. We are going to now focus on a different kind of training, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); we are going to start some classes in computer sciences, particularly in coding. So I want to turn this into the science and technology centre for this area, so that our young people can find work in a viable field,” he stated.

Against this background, the Prime Minister proposed that an off-grid solar system be installed at the centre to offset some of its operational costs.

Dr. Holness also announced plans to organise boxing matches coinciding with the centre’s official opening, to add excitement and prestige to the event.

He also hinted at the prospect of a boxing programme being initiated, utilising the facility.

“So I’m going to start [making] the arrangements [and] get in touch with the relevant persons in the boxing association. We are going to start looking for our boxers. So I’ll put a programme in place, start some training, identify a boxing ring and at the opening, you will have a boxing match. We will start to bring our young men and women into this very profitable sport,” he added.

Dr. Holness noted that the centre’s programmed construction represents “one more commitment that was made years ago, fulfilled”, citing the new Olympic Gardens Police Station, and housing developments undertaken at St. Paul’s Lane, for which he advised that the keys are slated to be presented to the beneficiaries “in a few days”, among the other programmed engagements coming to fruition.

He also highlighted several other projects that are to be pursued, among these, housing developments at Lime Tree Lane and the installation of a sewer line along Olympic Way.

Meanwhile, Dr. Holness announced that ground will be broken for a Golden Age Home in the community shortly.

“It is our intention to build a 20-room Golden Age Home for the elderly who don’t have anywhere to live or anyone to take care of them, and there are a few other small projects that you will see come to fruition in the next few months,” he added.

Meanwhile, CHASE Fund Project Manager, Latoya Foster, said development of the approximately 6,300 sq. ft. multipurpose centre is in keeping with the Government’s aim of ensuring access to functional community spaces.

“It is envisaged that these cultural community centres will help to support community development, skills training and foster some community among members,” she said.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said on completion, the landmark facility will play a critical role in the continued development of Olympic Gardens and foster greater social cohesion.

Her message was presented by Executive Director, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Leslie Harrow.

Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, said investment in infrastructure is critical to community life.

The project will be executed by C&D Construction and Engineering Limited, under the supervision of the consultants, Woodrow Whiteley and Associates.