Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORT ANTONIO, Portland
PLANS TO upgrade various attraction sites and other parish resources, to meet international standards for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, have been formulated by a group of stakeholders in Portland.
The group, which met recently, consists of persons from the Portland Parish Council (PPC), the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) local branch, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the Resort Board and the local arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. They, among other things, singled out the repairing of roads leading to the various attraction sites as a priority.
Chairman of the group, Franklyn Smith, said that the objective is to get the parish into a state of readiness in order to adequately capitalise on the spin-offs which will be presented from the staging of next year's Cricket World Cup. He pointed out that Jamaica's leg of the World Cup should create various financial opportunities for the business sector locally.
BUSINESSES
So far, Rio Grande Rafting, Reich Falls, the Folly Ruins, Boston Jerk Centre, Blue Lagoon and Somerset Falls, have been selected to undergo major renovations. Special emphasis has been placed on the possible upgrading and reopening of the Ken Jones Aerodrome, to accommodate domestic flights.
Funding to carry out the necessary upgrading work will be sought through the Ministry of Local Government and Environment. According to Mr. Smith, an estimate on the overhead cost, including material and labour, is being prepared to be sent to the local government ministry.
