Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

CLARKE

WESTERN BUREAU:

Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation Limited has granted the Montego Bay Community College $25 million to commence construction of a new lecture theatre at its Alice Eldermire Drive facility.

Construction of the 300-seat, 492 square metres facility is scheduled to commence within two weeks, with the completion date set for July 2007.

"Education is one of the planks on which Scotiabank has placed its efforts," says the organisation's managing director, William 'Bill' Clarke.

Speaking during the official signing by the school and its building contractors, W.A. Reid Construction Company, on Saturday morning at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, he said this lecture theatre would provide persons in need with access to better educational opportunities.

Latest Initiative

This latest initiative by the foundation complements the $1.5 million in scholarship funds that the bank awards annually to needy students enrolled at the institution.

"Social responsibilities need to be taken up by companies that can afford it," Mr. Clarke said.

The school's building chairman Pino Maffessanti, who signed on behalf of the institution, spoke of the many years that he and the rest of the board have dreamt of finding a benevolent provider and BNS (Bank of Nova Scotia) has come forward.

"We have been begging for years and this is by far the largest contribution we have received since the college was built 30 years ago."

The school started out with 60 students in 1976, and now has 1,600 scholars full-time and 500 part-time; however, like most educational institutions it has faced its share of challenges in getting financial support.

Indebted

"We are forever indebted to BNS," remarked an elated Dr. Angela Samuels, principal of the college. She said the bank's annual scholarship has helped students who otherwise would not have made it through college.

The lecture theatre, the first of its kind in western Jamaica, is valued at $32 million. The building will house fixed seating, a permanent stage to accommodate cultural activities, a projection room for audio-visual presentations, digital video projection and sound and lighting for performances.

Other features being built are change rooms, equipment storeroom and a small box office.

Other members of the project team include Cosmo Whyte Architect Limited, Western Engineering Services Limited, Westech Limited and Michael Allen and Associates.