Vale Royal vision

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Vale Royal is a national asset. However, its historical value and commercial potential are being diminished, each and every day, because of the continuous non-use, neglect and deterioration of this wonderful local asset.

I envision a future Vale Royal that, with the right investment capital input, could re-emerge as a type of attraction that, uses as its blueprint, the hugely successful, iconic, historic and greatly beloved Devon House. The premises at Vale Royal are perfect, for the latter type of attraction, given that she was once the residence of, at least, two former Jamaican prime ministers and one or more of the country’s former finance ministers. Tours of that historic great house could be offered, at a cost and, on the spacious lawns, quaint, old world red brick and/or wooden shops could be constructed – to house and facilitate the sale of Devon House I-Scream, craft items, restaurants, a brick oven bakery, a smoothie bar, a pizzeria, etc.

Like Devon House was revived, refurbished and revamped, during the decade of the eighties, Vale Royal has the potential – in this third decade of the twenty-first century – to be revived, refurbished and revamped to re-emerge as yet another iconic and favourite Kingston based attraction, for Jamaican residents and tourists alike.

I, therefore, urge and challenge the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) to collaborate with the private sector and establish a task force, comprised of public and private sector leaders, to create an architectural, business and marketing plan and, within a one to two year period, turn the aforementioned ambitious dream/vision into a reality.

PATRICK GALLIMORE

pagalley@protonmail.com