Hopewell to get $64 million sports complex

Ground was broken on Thursday for a $64-million multipurpose sports complex and homework centre in the Orchard community in Hopewell, Hanover.

The project will entail the renovation of the basketball and netball courts, the resurfacing of the football field and the construction of a two-storey multipurpose community centre.

The lower floor of the building will feature Lennox Lewis' League of Champions Foundation, which will be totally financed by the former world heavyweight boxing champion.

MULTIFACETED SPACE

It will feature a boxing ring and gym. The upstairs will consist of two offices, a computer laboratory, and a large multifaceted space, part of which will be used as a homework centre, capable of accommodating between 50 and 80 students.

Construction of the building is set to begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed in one year. Funding for the project is being provided through the Hanover Charities, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, the Tryall Fund, Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation, Hopewell Jaycees, the Hopewell Citizens, Association and the Tryall Staff Club.

According to Katrin Casserly, who chairs the Hanover Charities, which is the lead organisation in the project, the work on the facility has been made possible by over three years of planning and fundraising efforts.

"The project has come about because a number of individuals have one vision, and together it will come to fruition," said Casserly.

Desmond Dorman, the public relations officer at the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC), who represented Lucea's mayor, Councillor Sheridan Samuels, said the project has the full blessing of the HMC.

"This sports complex is destined to be of tremendous benefit to this community, for social cohesion and unity," he said.

Among the list of dignitaries in attendance were Hanover Custos Dr David Stair; Dave Brown, the member of parliament for Eastern Hanover; and Josef Forstmayr, the managing director for Round Hill Hotel and Villas.