THE Hector’s River Community Centre in Portland was the central attraction decades ago for many of its residents, but now the structure is dilapidated and residents are itching to bring the space back to its former glory, or even better.

“Hurricane Gilbert mash it up in 1988 and we never really got another community centre,” resident Dudley Leslie told the Jamaica Observer during a recent visit to the quiet farming community in the north-eastern parish.

“We used to play cricket for a group called Alcan and one of the times they donated a roof and other material, but another storm lick it off again. From me a grow up the youth have been full of talent; I was one of them. This place was like our home. As we get up in the morning, this is where we would be. We received several beatings because of this place; our parents beat us because we left the yard without permission.

“The first movie me watch was right here. The first dance mi come peep inna, and the first cricket match I attended was right here. This is the home of cricketers Patrick Patterson and Carl Brissett. This place was everything to us and I want to see it come back,” he added.

Leslie acknowledged that if Hector’s River is to have a community centre again, it will require more than just desire and talk. He expressed hope that corporate Jamaica will come on board but said that in the meantime he will continue to pool funds from residents to carry the project as far as they can.

“My vision is to get a group organised to include people who are now abroad. In 2019 I went to Canada and I linked up people I knew from Jamaica. We had Zoom meetings every Sunday evening and we started to organise fund-raising. In the first fund-raiser we raffled a television, a cellular phone, and a microwave. We sold tickets and food the same day and we made over $70,000. From there, more people started to gravitate and come in to pay their dues and give ideas. People donated phones and those things for us to sell, and more people donated other things. People have donated like 100 blocks and so on; the other day we received 1,000 blocks. We have other people who donate — like Angella who donated a load of sand, and I bought a load of gravel.

“I can’t tell you when we are going to complete it. It is all left to how we get material and workforce. So far the turnout by the guys has been good. People are waiting on their turn to be called in to help; that is where we are right now,” Leslie said.

Elvis Cunningham, who is not from Hector’s River but who has lived in the community for 19 years, said he fully supports the idea of rebuilding the community centre because of the value in keeping young people occupied and moulding them into positive adults.

“I am not really from Hector’s River but from I have been living here, Dudley has been talking about the community centre. He is one of my key pals. The first time I saw the plans to build back the centre was on social media. It looked good to me so I decided to drop in and do what I can do,” he said.

One male resident recalled hosting dancehall parties at the location. He said he supports the project because it is a space where great memories were created and could become something that brings the community together on a regular basis.

“I have to be a part of this project because me love what a gwaan. Mi keep bout three dance in yah suh already enuh, when the roof deh pon it; mi bring in mi people dem from Waterhouse [to attend]. A daylight dem lef yah because the vibe was so good,” said the man who did not want to be named.