A $2 million upgrade to the Haile Selassie High School’s auditorium was officially handed over last Wednesday.

The auditorium, which houses the school’s badminton court, was upgraded and refurbished by the Sandals Foundation.

The Haile Selassie has for the last eight years been ranked number one in badminton across the island. And the sport is very big in the inner-city community of Payne Avenue, where the school is situated.

“When you say badminton, you say Haile Selassie,” said the beaming immediate past school principal Claney Barnett after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The auditorium represents much for the school,” she added.

Barnett told teenAGE that the school has used the space for cultural, religious, community and sporting activities.

Barnett, who led the school for much of the eight years — she retired in 2010 — said the sport had created many opportunites for students, even when they leave the school.

Shawn Forrester (22) is one such student, who also attended the unveiling.

At 22, he is in his final year of studying sport massage therapy at GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, from which he received a scholarship.

He told teenAGE that the court was awesome and it was good to finally see the court in place at the school.

Current principal, Lorenzo Ellis told the gathering of the school’s executive, students, community members and Sandals Foundation represenatatives that the auditorium will be put to good use.

He said that the court will be used to build on the solid foundation of the success of the badminton teams.

“Badminton has also helped with the general conduct of the students,” he told teenAGE and explained further: “It warmed my heart when a teacher recounted to me of a student, whom she has never heard speak in class, remarking excitedly about the auditorium and badminton.”

This enthusiasm, he said, can be replicated throughout the school, which he has led since Barnett’s retirement.

The renovation of the auditorium is part of Sandals Foundation’s commitment to education and youth programmes

Heidi Clarke, director of programmes, said the refurbished facility is expected to add a major boost to the school’s sports and education programmes, as it will assist students who have been making significant progress in badminton at the national level.

“Our goal is to provide an environment where sports can thrive and students can reach their full potential,” said Clarke.

— MED