IT was pure joy and excitement earlier this month when residents from the Catherine Hall community watched the ribbon cutting of their newly refurbished multipurpose court, located almost smack in the middle of the community.

The multimillion-dollar project was undertaken by LNG provider New Fortress Energy in partnership with the Catherine Hall Community Development Centre (CDC).

What was originally an empty space, which was later paved by the St James Municipal Corporation, now boasts 300 feet of chain link perimeter fencing; regulation markings; hoops for football, basketball and netball; as well as LED solar lights to facilitate night games and activities.

Speaking at the handover, president of the Catherine Hall CDC, Ava-Gaye Gordon said, “New Fortress Energy, we appreciate and commend you for your commitment, especially at a time when the pandemic would have impacted many companies financially. We could not have done this without you. We promise to honour your investment and commitment to our community by maintaining this multipurpose court as a milestone in enhancing youth growth and development in our community. Jamaica’s next sporting star will come from Catherine Hall, and they will testify that it all started for them at Catherine Hall on this court.”

Janet Silvera, immediate past president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in endorsing the project, highlighted that community multipurpose courts are very important in helping to stem crime and violence in many local communities across Jamaica.

“This multipurpose court is therefore a big step in the right direction in giving our young people a positive outlet to grow and develop. The chamber has worked with New Fortress Energy for several years and we applaud them for their commitment to supporting and giving back to the people of Montego Bay through various initiatives, including education and community development.”

Dwight Crawford, councillor for the Spring Gardens Division, also extended thanks to New Fortress Energy for saying yes to their call for help.

“I am overjoyed at what today represents for the residents of Catherine Hall. It’s heart-warming to know that young men, young women, and families on a whole now have somewhere to call their own — a secure space where they can bond, play, network and develop their sporting talent. On behalf of the entire Catherine Hall community and the St James Municipal Corporation, we simply cannot thank New Fortress Energy enough for their support.

“We look forward to the many sporting events and family activities that will be made possible here in Catherine Hall because of the construct of this multipurpose court,” commented Robert Rodney, terminal manager at New Fortress Energy.

Since its inception in Jamaica over six years ago, New Fortress Energy, through its foundation, continues to invest in and give back to the people of Montego Bay in several ways, including providing financial aid for thousands of primary school students, bursaries for hundreds of high school students, and scholarships for students studying engineering at UWI, UTech and CMU who are from St James.

And with its upcoming back-to-school and internship programme in the summer, over 500 students will at once benefit from needed school supplies and financial aid from the New Fortress Energy Foundation.