FALMOUTH, Trelawny — As construction gets under way on a temporary facility to house residents displaced from the main infirmary in this parish, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Melissa, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation has also started repair of Elleston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth to facilitate the immediate relocation of people now sheltering at Hague Primary School.

Mayor of Falmouth C Junior Gager said roofing repairs at Elleston Wakeland Centre began on Wednesday and are expected to be completed in time for residents to be moved into the facility by Saturday.

“Once the repairs to the roof are completed and the facility is properly sanitised — because we want them to move into a clean environment — they can be housed there,” Gager told the Jamaica Observer.

He added that work on the surrounding grounds would continue even after the residents are relocated.

Acknowledging the disruption being experienced at Hague Primary, the mayor said he remains in close communication with the principal as they attempt to balance the urgent needs of displaced residents with preparations for the reopening of school next week.

“We are mindful of the concerns — the need for children to return to school and of our residents who are without a home at this time. So we are trying our best to balance both,” Gager said.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, during a recent visit to Falmouth, announced that the ministry has initiated plans to establish a temporary home for infirmary residents on a nearby parcel of municipal-owned land, which will also serve as the future site of a new permanent infirmary.

On Wednesday, Gager thanked McKenzie for his leadership and confirmed that work has already started to set up the prefabricated units to house the residents temporarily.

“The contractors have started the work. They are now clearing the site and have begun bringing in materials,” he said.

Following discussions with the project team, Gager expressed confidence that the temporary facility could be ready by February.

“It should be completed in no longer than six weeks, but it can be done before. That is why we had meetings with the contractors today. We are looking at the earliest possible time,” said Gager.

Hurricane Melissa left many people homeless and billions of dollars in damage when it slammed into Jamaica’s south-western coast on October 28, 2025.

A truck unloading construction material for the establishment of a temporary home for residents of the Trelawny Infirmary on Wednesday.