Orchard Sports Complex taking shape

The multi-million-dollar refurbishing project currently being undertaken on the Orchard Sports Complex in Hopewell, Hanover, is said to be ahead of schedule.

According to site manager, Orlando Anderson, the work is almost 35 per cent ahead of construction projections. He said that the contractor has a 14-month window to complete the $64-million multipurpose sports complex and homework centre.

"The work is way ahead of schedule as we try to put in the extra work now to facilitate any bad weather that may come our way," Anderson told WESTERN STAR. "It is to be done in seven phases and we are currently well advanced in the third phase, which is the proposed building of a multipurpose facility."

The project kick started in November last year after ground was broken by sponsoring partners' Hanover Charities, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, the Tryall Fund, Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation and Hopewell Jaycees.

The scope of work entails, a facelift and expansion of the spectator stands, perimeter fencing, improvements to the basketball and netball courts, the resurfacing of the football field, lighting and the construction of a two-storey multipurpose facility that will house a boxing gym, computer lab and a home work centre among other facilities.

"As you know, Hopewell has a team in the super football league and though the team still somewhat uses the facility to train, hopefully, that by the end of February, we should be able to give them back full use of the playfield because the stands would have already been advanced and finished by then," said Anderson.

Craig Oates, the first vice-president of the Hanover Football Association, is upbeat about the current project.

"It will be the first modern-day sporting complex within the parish of Hanover that will hopefully complement the Montego Bay Sports Complex ... This is something that is like 25 years late in coming. We are more than privilege and happy to have this here in Hopewell. It is going to provide all the necessary sporting amenities for the entire eastern Hanover belt and is to will benefit roughly 20,000 to 30,000 persons," Oates said.