File
A dramatic production in progress at Bournemouth Gardens Open-Air Theatre in the 1960s.

Daraine Luton, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

ONCE upon a time, people flocked the Kingston Harbour area for entertainment. A clean welcoming sea, almost pure air and places of entertainment were on offering at this part of the city belt. One establishment that made the area so popular was the Bournemouth Bath situated.

Built in 1926 by Captain George Lindsay and donated to the city of Kingston in 1937, Bournemouth Bath was a major entertainment spot for people from all strata of society. It boasted two swimming pools a cinema and a dance hall.

Bournemouth, though, is no longer a grand spectacle. Lying idly at the foot of Sea Breeze Avenue, in east Kingston, it seems to be a place where hoodlums hang out as evidenced by several graffiti on the walls. Shrubs and other vegetation now overrun the one acre property, which remains visible from Michael Manley Boulevard.

But, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup due here, in March, a commitment has been made to revive this once booming entertainment centre.

Phillip Paulwell, Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal, said the Rotary Club of Kingston would be taking up the task of renovating the area.

"We have just signed an agreement with the Rotary Club of Kingston. We have assigned to them a 15-year lease and work will commence in the first week of January," Mr. Paulwell said at a Jamaica Business Development Commission press conference, last Wednesday.

The redevelopment of Bourne-mouth cannot come too soon for many persons who had beautiful experiences there. Ronnie Wilmot, Chairman of the Rollington Town Development Committee Development Action Committee (ROLODAC) said it means a revitalisation of eastern Kingston. He recalls that "Bournemouth Bath used to be the entertainment centre for lower middle class Kingstonians".

One rainy morning in June of 1969, fire razed the Bournemouth. It was rebuilt in 1976 by the government of Jamaica at a cost of $250,000. Former Prime Minister Michael Manley, who was the Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal, led the refurbishing works.

After its rebirth, Bournemouth regained its popularity. But with the rapid expansion of Kingston northwards, the neighbourhood went through a period of decline and not long afterwards Bournemouth took another dive and is yet to resurface.