Residents of Decoy in St. Mary Get New Community Centre

PORT ANTONIO — A new community centre was opened in the community of Decoy, in St. Mary, on Wednesday, July 20.

The building,  which was constructed  and equipped with funds from the Community Development Fund (CDF), and the European Union, comprises a  meeting area, two bathrooms and a kitchen area, and will serve as a venue for community activities, such as training programmes, community meetings and social events.

Delivering the main address at the opening, Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, said the community centre was a major achievement by the residents, and he was confident that the facility would play an invaluable role to inspire unity and co-operation in the area.

Mr. Montague said the realisation of the facility was an excellent example of what could be achieved by individuals when they are united in their effort and unrelenting in their efforts to succeed.

He commended  members of  the Decoy Community Development Committee for the invaluable role they played in ensuring that the centre was constructed, and expressed gratitude  to the European Union for the assistance it provided to make the facility become operational.

The Minister encouraged members of the community to use and preserve the facility in the best way possible, and suggested that consideration be given to the possibility of using a section of the building as a museum to highlight the rich history of Decoy in the development of St. Mary.

Mr. Montague presented the Decoy Community Development Committee with a lawn mower to be used at the community centre, one netball, one basket ball and one football to be used for the promotion of sporting activities at the facility. He also handed over a set of text books and exercise books for use by children attending the summer school to be held soon.

In her address, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, Hon. Shahine Robinson, congratulated the residents of Decoy for the role they played in ensuring the construction of the centre, and commended Mr. Montague for the support he gave to the project.

She urged the residents to use the centre to promote the best interest of the community and reminded them that as owners of the facility, they had an obligation to protect it.

By ASTON G. BAILEY, JIS Reporter