TANKWELD Metals has embarked on a broad-based sports enhancement programme at the Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School in West Central St Andrew at a cost of some $4 million.

The football field is to be upgraded to be used for athletics, also there is resurfacing planned for the multi-purpose court, while a kids play park will be built. As part of the broad-based development and when completed, there should be a table tennis area, vending stalls at the entrance to the school and perimeter fencing of the school’s compound.

Tankweld’s managing director, Bruce Bicknell, made the disclosure on the school’s grounds on Wednesday where work has already started with the refurbishing of the multi-purpose basketball, netball and volleyball court, which when completed, will be of first world standard. This area is also to be lighted and an acrylic surface installed as part of the development.

A spectator stand is also to be built at the southern end of the multi-purpose ball courts to accommodate 150 spectators.

“The plan is to completely transform and improve the environment for improved learning and performance at the school over time,” said Bicknell.

Balcombe Drive Primary is one of the schools in the West Central St Andrew constituency of Education Minister Andrew Holness, who has executted a national drive to raise the levels of literacy of students leaving schools.

“For children to learn properly and for teacher to perform at the desired level, they must have healthy surroundings and they ought to become active in the sports and other cultural activities, and for this Tankweld sees it as fitting to give full support to the idea with the school enhancing project,” said Bicknnell, whose company has been a long-time benefactor of the west central St Andrew communities.