Residents and volunteers in St James joined forces on Labour Day to restore the Rose Heights Community Centre, which sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa.
The rehabilitation project, valued at approximately $3.8 million, was selected as the parish’s main Labour Day initiative and involved repairs to the roof, painting, landscaping, and general clean-up activities at the facility.
The Rose Heights Community Centre serves thousands of residents in the community and also functions as an emergency shelter during hurricanes and other disasters.
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, said the restoration project highlights the importance of improving emergency shelters ahead of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.
According to reports, work on the project began days before Labour Day and continued with support from residents, civic groups, private-sector partners, and members of the Jamaica Defence Force.
Volunteers from organisations, including the University of Technology (UTech) Circle K Club, also participated in the community effort.
President of the Rose Heights Community Development Committee, Andrea Kerr-Finakin, welcomed the initiative and said the upgraded facility will continue to support youth programmes, sporting activities, and other community events.
Additional Labour Day projects were reportedly carried out across sections of St James, including repairs to schools, community centres, and environmental clean-up activities.
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