Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steven Blackett will be going to Cabinet shortly with a request for funds to refurbish dilapidated community and resource centres across the island.

He made this disclosure following a tour of these facilities in the north of the island with a team from his Ministry last Wednesday.

The Culture Minister pointed out that monies had already been allocated in the current Estimates for the rehabilitation of some of the centres, but additional funding would be needed to commence urgent repairs to others.  

“What I have seen today [Wednesday] is a little distressing.  I had heard from a distance about the conditions in some of the community centres, but I am seeing now the state of disrepair first-hand,” he said.

“Of course, before any work can be done, first, it would be necessary to go out to tender and get estimates for some of the other centres that need immediate repairs.  And we are going to move with some alacrity,” Mr. Blackett declared.

During the tour, the officials visited community resource centres at Black Bess and Speightstown, St Peter and at St Elizabeth in St Joseph.

The touring party also examined community centres located at Rockfield, St Lucy; Bathsheba, St Joseph; Belleplaine and Rock Hall in St Andrew and Boscobelle, St Peter.

Mr. Blackett was accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Culture, Celia Toppin, Chief Community Development Officer, Sandra Greenidge, and other officials from the Ministry and the Community Development Department.

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