ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – The Burwood Beach, located in Falmouth, Trelawny, which was upgraded at a cost of $28 million by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), was officially handed over to the Trelawny parish council yesterday.

The facility, for which entrance is free, is heavily used by both Jamaicans and cruise ship passengers. It now boasts sanitary conveniences, a kids play area as well as showers. There is also a plan to add restaurants and bars.

Speaking at a handing over ceremony, Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill, said the upgrading of the beach forms part of the ministry’s plans to identify and upgrade the best beaches across the island for use by Jamaicans and visitors alike.

He pointed out that the $250 million project was announced 2 years ago and work has started on 16 of the 30 beaches which have been identified.

The minister said because of hotel developments, the number of public beaches has been reduced, which has pushed his Ministry to go across the island, identify and upgrade the best beaches and ensure that they remain free and accessible to the public.

“There must be a programme that protects the opportunities of Jamaicans to truly enjoy their country, and that is what the beaches programme of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is all about,” he added.

 “The fact is wherever we can identify beaches that we feel would be best kept in the public interest, we are going to acquire those beaches, put the proper infrastructure on those beaches. These beaches will remain free and open to the public,” the minister said.

He said the projects across the island are being implemented with support from the Parish Councils, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), the Ministry of Water, Land and Climate Change and the National Environment and  Planning Agency (NEPA).