By Cedric Johnson, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE WESTMORELAND Parish Council has suspended work on the multi-million dollar Savanna-la-Mar Civic Centre indefinitely as the money allocated for the project has been exhausted.
The announcement, which means bad news for the Parish Council and its plans to use the facility for upcoming civic functions, was made by Patricia Sinclair Stair, Secretary/Manager of the Westmoreland Parish Council, at last week's monthly meeting of the Council.
"We will have to change the method by which we employ persons on these projects," said Albert Stewart, the Council's Superintendent of Roads and Works, as he updated councillors on the status of the project. "Some people have no interest in working, the money will be finished long before the work is completed."
The Lift Up Jamaica funded project was at first estimated to cost some $4 million but according to a well-placed Parish Council source, the cost could double on account of the increase in the cost of both material and labour. He added that in an effort to minimise the labour aspect of the costing, Savanna-la-Mar's Mayor, Councillor Ralph Anglin, is now proposing that the system of employing people on a daily basis be discontinued.
When completed, the Savanna-la-Mar Civic Centre, will replace the historic horse stable, popularly referred to as 'the belfry', which was one of the town's most enduring landmarks adorning the front of the ancient courthouse at Norman Square.
"The new complex will comprise two shops: one will be used to display a collection of artefacts while the other will serve as an information centre for visitors to the town," said Mayor Anglin, as he spoke during the ground-breaking for the civic centre some seven months ago. "In addition, a cenotaph to commemorate the contribution of the parish's war veterans will be constructed."
Initially, the civic centre should have been opened on National Heroes' Day (October 21) but when it became apparent that the facility would not be ready on time, the date was switched to 'Veterans Day' in November. However, that date was also not met as by then the work had come to a halt.
With no new funding in place for the completion of the project, Mayor Anglin said the Council would be making a submission to Lift Up Jamaica for additional funding.
