THE long-awaited reopening of the historic Rockfort Mineral Bath in St Andrew was met with delight and some disappointment on Thursday as the celebration of its return was tempered by concerns about the extent of the renovation.

For many, like long-time community figure Silvera Castro, the occasion was a source of pride and nostalgia.

Having overseen the bath during his 30 years at Caribbean Cement in senior management positions, Castro sees the reopening as vital to the community’s spirit.

“It’s important. I find that the older people, wherever I go they’re always asking, ‘When is the bath going to be open?’ because they look forward to it. Some of them really, really believe that there are healing powers in that water. And that alone assists them in feeling much better. So, they come here two, three times a week.

“What you also find is that schools, especially during the summer holidays, oh Lord, the schools flock to this. They come on tours and they flock to this,” said Castro.

Casting an observant eye at the facilities, he told the Jamaica Observer that he did not readily pick up on any major changes; however, he was pleased that the environment seemed polished and pristine as if barely any time had passed.

“So far, I’m satisfied. The water is glistening pretty. The bathroom is right back to where it was: clean and tidy. The pool is the same size. The water is flowing, the water is pretty. Yes, nothing has changed really.

“They have painted up the place, making it good and different, sure, but nothing has changed. It’s the same good old Rockfort Mineral Bath. I only hope that it will be maintained. But so far, yes. I like what I’m seeing,” added Castro.

But others, including university lecturer and public commentator Dr Carolyn Cooper, were far less impressed

Cooper, who has long led a public campaign for the reopening of the facility, expressed disappointment at what she said was the lack of substantial upgrades after a prolonged period of closure.

“You can’t close a place of five and a half years and when you come back you see some improvements,” said Cooper as her gaze fell upon the pool.

According to Cooper, while some work was done it did not reflect the amount of time spent for it to be reopened.

“Yes, the bottom of the pool has been repainted, the edge of the pool has been painted, the areas where you sit have been painted, the bathrooms, toilets have been upgraded, but that is not enough work for the length of time that the place has been closed. That could have been done in six months, not five and a half years,” argued Cooper.

She further critiqued the infrastructure, charging that many things seemed old and unchanged and would require further fixing. Her disappointment was especially focused on bathrooms, changing rooms and showers.

“The doors on the changing rooms are the same old doors looking battered and bruised. There’s no head on the shower, the doors to the lovely new toilets can’t close because some of them are warped.

“The back splash of the changing room has been upgraded with tiles but that is not enough. Not after five and a half years,” charged Cooper..

Even so she, like many others present at the reopening, was glad that the facility was once again open, and admitted that the price to enter was reasonable, even as she suggested holding off on a fee increase as a goodwill gesture to returning patrons.

Minister of Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange (left) is joined by Jorge Martinez (centre), managing director of Caribbean Cement Company; and Orville Hill, chairman of Jamaica National Heritage Trust, during a tour of the reopened Rockfort Mineral Bath. (Karl Mclarty)

In the meantime Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, who was the keynote speaker at reopening ceremony, expressed elation and excitement that the mineral bath had finally been restored for the pleasure of members of the public.

Grange pointed out that this was a project that her ministry, in collaboration with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and Carib Cement, had been dedicated to for years.

She said she is anticipating the impact it will have on Jamaicans who have waited patiently on its return.

“I see families coming again to this location as they did so many years ago before the facility was closed. I can hear again the pitter patter of the little feet of our children running around with their parents while taking advantage of the mineral bath, known for its therapeutic value.

“I can feel the spirit of communities as they come from near and far to experience the magical feeling of a mineral bath,” said Grange.

Public commentator and university lecturer Dr Carolyn Cooper was less than impressed with the renovation done at Rockfort Minieral Bath. (Karl Mclarty)

The renovated main pool at the Rockfort Mineral Bath (Karl Mclarty)