THE JAMAICA Christian College plans to start a $50 million refurbishing project at the old Forum Hotel complex in Port Henderson, St. Catherine, next week. The college leased the property from the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) last month.
"The state of the building is of such that, it is going to take us well over $50 million to clean it up," said the Rev. Dr. Wellesley Blair, the pastor of the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God, a key figure behind the leasing.
Outlining plans for the 29-year-old complex in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, the Rev. Dr. Blair said that as soon as the UDC hands over the keys to the property next Monday, they will be forging ahead with plans to revive the "white elephant" of the Portmore community.
He said the plan is to convert the upper section of the hotel into a theological college as early as this year. He also expects that a type-five health clinic will be up and running on the lower floors by next year.
"We are thinking very widely and deeply in other areas of education, to broaden our scope in areas such as computer training, and in skills training," said the Rev. Dr. Blair.
He said he has not yet completed discussions with the Government concerning the proposed health facility, but overseas doctors have already been earmarked for the project on a visiting basis. Doctors from Portmore and the Corporate Area will also be targeted.
The Jamaica Christian College will have the option of buying for US$2 million, the complex which includes the 200-room Forum Hotel and 75 two-bedroom cottages within the first five years of the lease agreement.
Because of the dilapidated condition of the complex, the college, which is affiliated to the Faith New Testament Church of God in Portmore, was granted a three-year lease waiver to give it enough time to get the complex ready for occupation.
When asked where the funding will come from to sustain the viability of the complex, the Rev. Dr. Blair said he is walking by faith and promised that his organisation will not "let down" any signed agreement.
