FOR the first time in history, residents of Amelia’s Ward, Linden; one of the largest communities here, can now boast of having its own community centre, which according to Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, will aid in its socio- economic development.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Main’ Street, Central Amelia’s Ward, address and many residents joined the regional officials and more importantly, the U.S military officers of the New Horizon 2019 team who funded and undertook the project.

In recognising that it is the first of its kind in Amelia’s Ward, Mayor Arrindell pointed out that all the necessary stakeholders will play a role in ensuring that it is used for the development of youths, women, children and seniors, as well as for sports development, since a basketball court will be constructed in the near future.

“What you have done today, is to help to build a community and it is not just a centre, this centre will aid in the socio-economic development of Amelia’s Ward…this is the first of its kind, so I encourage you residents of Amelia’s Ward, let us maintain this site, let us use it for what is it here for, let us protect it,” she said.

The New Horizon 2019 Captain, Colonel Ken Bratland, said that he hopes the building can be used for generations to come, and that it can act as a cornerstone to the community of Amelia’s Ward. He anticipates that wonderful things will happen at the facility and urged the residents to make the best use of it.

GREEN AGENDA MUST BE PRIORITISED
The residents were urged to incorporate the ‘green state development strategy’ in the community projects as the ‘green’ agenda is being operationalised at the community level, across the country. The sustainable development goals must also be taken into account, so not only the residents would benefit, but the community’s environment as well.

Community Development Council’s Technical Coordinator, Mr Eugene Gilbert, described the New Horizon Project as not just surface-based, but speaks to a philosophical foundation of caring for others and shows that military forces are not only about war and guns, but also about the development of people. While the regional officials spoke of becoming custodians of the building, Gilbert encouraged the parties to allow the building to be run by the community, through the establishment of a trust.

“These centres should be set up as independent entities in the form of a trust, managed by a board of directors or a board of management with some authority, to maintain the facility,” he advised. This board should now be responsible to mobilise resources from various agencies for community development.

At the end of August, another centre at BlueBerry Hill and a women’s empowerment centre at Richmond Hill will also be commissioned. On Monday a community centre was commissioned at Yarrowkabra. These are all part of the New Horizon 2019 projects. Last month, the team successfully held a surgical mission at the Linden Hospital Complex where 39 gynaecology surgeries were completed. A massive two-week medical outreach which benefitted hundreds of Linden residents, was also held in July.