CONTENT, St James — Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is once again impressing on his Cabinet colleagues the need for construction of a new highway from Salt Marsh, Trelawny, to Adelphi, St James, saying it is a vital part of plans to establish Adelphi as a satellite town for Montego Bay.

The new highway through his constituency would connect to the under-construction perimeter road in the resort city.

The tourism minister made the comment while speaking with reporters on Emancipation Day after the launch of the inaugural Content Games which saw teams from communities within the constituency compete in football and netball at the new Content Community Centre and Multipurpose Sports Complex.

“To move visitors swiftly to even connect to the perimeter road and to get them out to the other areas of the west: Negril and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland and so on. And to avoid a further congestion on the one road that leads to the airport, The Elegant corridor. I think it is a no-brainer that the Salt Marsh through Adelphi to connect with the perimeter road is to be done.

“There is no question about it. It is an absolute no-brainer that it should be done,” Bartlett said. “We are equidistant to the big city of Montego Bay, and to the emerging Falmouth, which is becoming a huge tourism area with hotels that are mushrooming and other attractions that are coming.” .

Describing the recently completed Content Community Centre and Multipurpose Sports Complex as a game changer, he said the project had brought his ambition to create a satellite community in the area closer to reality.

The facility was constructed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) over a three-year period.

Bartlett, the member of parliament for St James East Central which envelopes, among other communities, Content, Adelphi and Dumfries, has long spoken of the need to transform Adelphi and surrounding areas into satellite areas to Montego Bay. But his highway pleas have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

In addition to the fillip that he anticipates the new facility will have on this idea, he also noted that Government’s plans to construct a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school in the area also fits well with his plans.

Wade Mars, executive director of TPDCo, was among those who welcomed the opening of the multipurpose complex.

“Today is a special day as we stand at the pinnacle of remarkable transformation that has turned a long-held mission into a vibrant reality,” he said. “This journey began with a simple yet profound vision. To provide the people of Content with a modern, high-standard facility that ensures accessibility for everyone,” he added.

Even as mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon implored residents to protect the facility, Bartlett noted that a management team has been put in place to protect it.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett prepares to take a shot on the netball field at the new multipurpose sports complex in Content, St James, on Emancipation Day.