BARBARY HALL, St Elizabeth

The CHASE (culture, health, arts, sports and education) fund has allocated $10 million to complete the Barbary Hall community centre which was started more than 25 years ago in this rural community.

In making the disclosure at the official opening of the $3. 4 million Barbary Hall multi-purpose court last Thursday, Member of Parliament for South West St Elizabeth, Dr Christopher Tufton said he intends to make the centre into a major cultural facility in the parish.

“The plan is to develop the community, to put in a perimeter fence to make sure the place is secure, and I intend to invest in a marching band so that this community centre and location becomes a cultural and sports facility for those of us who are culturally minded and who want to explore cultural adventure,” Dr Tufton said.

He said work on the facility is to begin soon and should be completed by year end.

“When we are finished, this is going to be one of the best facilities in St Elizabeth,” the MP boasted.

He urged the residents to protect the facility and to use it for its intended purpose when it is completed.

Dr Tufton, who is also the minister of agriculture was elected member of parliament for South West St Elizabeth in the 2007 general elections, on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP’s) ticket.

Since then the MP has placed tremendous emphasis on the development of cultural and sporting events in the constituency.

“Sports is important for us because it enforces discipline; it enhances the potential of young people and it is a part of the holistic approach to human development,” the MP told the Observer West, adding that he remains committed to using sports as a vehicle to assist in the development of the constituency.