ROXBOROUGH, Manchester — Prior to late last year, Roxborough in Central Manchester, the birthplace of National Hero Norman Manley — particularly the caretaker’s cottage — had to make do with lighting from sources such as kerosene lamps.

However, visitors to the July 4 celebration commemorating the 122nd anniversary of Manley’s birth this year were greeted with the sight of solar panels at the 3 1/2 acre property.

Anthony Freckleton, chairman of the South Coast Resort Board and a director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), told the Jamaica Observer Central that the solar system will, in time, be expanded to cater to all the needs of the growing attraction.

In addition to the museum, phase one of the development has seen appropriate signage put in place, road rehabilitation to the estate, refurbishing of the caretaker’s cottage, improvements to walkways, and the establishing of a Rose garden.

The Rose was Manley’s favourite flower.

The solar panels and plans for the establishment of public bathrooms and concession stands are some of the developments for phase two.

Freckleton said that all the improvements at Roxborough are done in consultation with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) in order not to disturb the “integrity” of the heritage site.

The South Coast Resort Board chairman said that the move to solar was deliberate, as a cost-effective means of lighting will ensure that the development goals can be sustained.

Speaking at the civic ceremony, Lesley-Gail Atkinson, research manager of the JNHT, said that Roxborough is one of the most beautiful protected sites. She lauded the caretaker and others who ensure that the standard is maintained, even outside of special occasions.

According to Freckleton, Roxborough is part of a “comprehensive” plan by the South Coast Resort Board to develop community and heritage tourism.

Through the ‘Operation 500,000’ project, which awaits approval from the relevant stakeholders, six areas of interest that have the potential to attract varying numbers of visitors have been identified to meet a 500,000-visitor target in future.

The areas are classified as ‘Mandeville and Environs’, ‘Milk River and Environs’, ‘Lover’s Leap/Malvern and Environs’, ‘Black River and Environs (including parts of Westmoreland)’, ‘Great Bay/Treasure Beach and Environs’, and Northern areas of St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon such as Accompong, Mile Gully, and the Bull Head Mountain.

Freckleton said that when the project is fully implemented he expects upwards of $85 billion per year to be pumped into the economy of the southern region through social and economic activities.

“It is difficult to put a timeline (on full implementation) now as we don’t control the finances and the capacity of the agencies that will deliver services. If it takes 10 years, it will be done,” he said.

Currently, work funded through the Tourism Improvement Programme is being done on the outskirts of Roxborough.

At Belretiro Square, where a rest stop is slated to be put in place for visitors on the way to Roxborough, beautification efforts are evident.

Shops in the vicinity have been named, there is a bust of Norman Manley, a Welcome to Belretiro sign has been erected, sections of the sidewalk are painted and the first road sign to signify that it is part of a road to be renamed Norman Manley Drive has been put in place.

Freckelton said that as a result of what is being done in Belretiro, residents are now at the centre of rural development and the efforts will gradually dispel the notion that tourism is a “big man ting”.

He said that staying true to Manley’s legacy, which holds firm values such as self-reliance, other communities along the stretch of road to be officially renamed Norman Manley Drive will have economic projects such as bed and breakfast accommodations.

Freckleton said that all the work being done and planned for the areas, including Manchester, are to preserve the heritage.

“We don’t want to make the same mistakes over and over,” he said.