ONE of the latest entertainment spots along the Portland coastline, Di Atlantic Entertainment Centre, has ambitious plans to become more than just another venue.

Located in Manchioneal, the facility is proposing to offer clean, family-friendly fun to locals and visitors alike and wants to have the Jamaica Tourist Board’s stamp of approval.

“When we are done with construction, we want to be able to register with the Jamaica Tourist Board because the parish needs something like this,” said manager Ellisa Doyle.

Already, the management of Di Atlantic is preparing to stage an inaugural event dubbed Summer Invasion, a back-to-school dance and song competition.

“We are seeking local talent to come out and register,” Doyle told the Jamaica Observer North East.

She explained that participants will have the opportunity to win the first prize of $30,000, a trophy and school supplies; the second prize of $15,000 and a trophy; or the third prize of $5,000.

The event will run over the course of six weeks and winners will be chosen by public voting.

“We are now in the process of having auditions and we have been seeing a lot of local talent,” she pointed out.

In addition to that competition, Doyle said she is currently choreographing routines for a dance group called the Little Warriors United in preparation for a series of concerts to begin in September. She made it clear that being part of the group has motivated the members to excel in academics as well.

“They have to maintain a certain average,” she said of the group members. She disclosed plans are also underway to host high and primary school tours.

The five-acre entertainment centre property, which has been under new management for the last six months, can accommodate weddings, parties, stage shows, plays and a range of other entertainment events.

“This is a family-friendly venue where we encourage families to come to because we provide good, clean fun,” said Doyle as she took the Observer North East on a tour of the picturesque property.

“We have a very lovely scenery here for persons wanting to do their weddings and take pictures afterwards,” she said of the magnificent view overlooking the sea below.

She explained that rental packages to host events at the venue or for accommodation in one of the three rooms on the property are tailor-made to fit any individual’s budget.

“We make it so that when we have our weddings here persons can also afford to have their honeymoon here as well and we also provide a service to take them to the various attractions,” she told the newspaper, pointing out that the elegantly furnished rooms are rented at $3,500 per night.

Doyle said a pool is currently being constructed on the property. This, she said, will be a ‘beach on land’ as the plan is to pump water into it from the sea and to surround the area with sand.

Di Atlantic Entertainment Centre also offers a VIP club membership where members can take turn hosting respective events.

“If they don’t already have a venue to host their events they can rent this venue at a discounted rate and they will have the support of other members and so on,” she explained, adding that it provided an opportunity to strengthen unity among Portlanders.

“It is all about bringing back the love,” she quipped.