Sav Civic Centre opens next week
published: Thursday | November 6, 2003

By Cedric Johnson, Gleaner Writer

AS PART of the programme of activity to mark Local Government Month, the Westmoreland Parish Council will officially open the recently completed Savanna-la-Mar Civic Centre on November 13.

The centre, which was built at a cost of $4 million, will serve as a venue for most of the Parish's cultural and artistic events. A cenotaph to honour the contributions of the Parish's war veterans, which was built on the same site, will also be dedicated.

"The complex comprises two shops, one for the storage and display of artefacts and the other will be used as an information centre for visitors to the town," said Mayor Delford Morgan last Thursday as he announced the ceremony to open the centre, which he said will take place immediately following the monthly meeting of the Parish Council.

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Construction of the centre was undertaken by Karl Stampp Company, with funding from the Lift Up Jamaica programme on a site that formerly housed the historic horse stable, originally known as 'the belfry', one of Savanna-la-Mar's most eye-catching and enduring landmarks.

"The civic centre, apart from enhancing the attractiveness of the town, will provide a stage for its educational, cultural and artistic development," said Winston Comrie, former deputy mayor who first proposed the idea over 10 years ago. Other activities to mark Local Government Month in Westmoreland this year will be a community forum on the role and functions of the Parish Council and its various departments; this will be at the Negril community centre this afternoon, starting at 5:00 p.m. A special church service will be held at the Sterling United Church in Grange Hill on November 16.

A youth council and luncheon will take place at the council chamber in Savanna-la-Mar on November 20 at 10:00 a.m. and a family fun day at Paradise Park on November 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Minister of Local Government and Sports, the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller will be the guest speaker at an award function at the Commingle Hotel, Savanna-la-Mar on November 27 starting at 4:00 p.m.