A $5 MILLION Vendors Arcade in Aishalton, Region Nine, is nearing completion and is expected to expand commercial opportunities for residents while creating a new income stream for the village council.
The facility, funded through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, is approximately 92 per cent complete and is being constructed by local contractors, Deputy Toshao of Aishalton Michael Thomas said on Wednesday.
Thomas explained that the project was initiated after funding became available for the Village Council to undertake an income-generating initiative that would benefit the community.
He said the remaining work is primarily focused on internal areas before the facility can be opened for use.
The arcade comprises two separate buildings designed to address the community’s need for improved spaces for food vending, the sale of agricultural produce and other locally produced goods, while also improving sanitation.
“Seeing the need for food and seeing the need for sanitation in the place, actually this $5 million project is broken down into two separate buildings,” Thomas said.

One building will accommodate an enclosed four-compartment food mart, while the second will provide a more open space for vendors selling farm produce, local products and other goods.
The enclosed building measures 48 feet by 15 feet and is divided into four compartments, each measuring 12 feet by 10 feet.
Thomas said the concrete structure is being equipped with facilities to support food preparation and vending, including serving outlets, sinks, plumbing and washing facilities.
“With concrete structure, we have a serving outlet. The internal has a sink being installed there for washing and so forth, plumbing system and everything that happens there,” he said.
The compartments will also be equipped with stoves for food warming and related activities, while the building is expected to be fully furnished before the project is completed.
Thomas said the facility would provide vendors with dedicated and more comfortable spaces in which to conduct business, while the open section would allow for a wider range of commercial activities.
The project has also created opportunities for local employment, with construction being undertaken by workers and contractors from the community.
“Everything will be furnished here. The construction is done by our local people here, our local contractors,” Thomas said.
Beyond supporting local commerce, the arcade is expected to generate revenue for the Village Council through the rental of its spaces.
Thomas said the facilities could be made available to women’s groups, youth groups and other individuals or organisations requiring space for commercial or community activities.
“Women’s group, youth group or whoever may have the need to rent out a room, rent out the entire building,” he said.
Revenue generated through the rentals will be channelled towards maintaining the facility.
“Those funds generated from there will be put towards the maintenance of this project here,” Thomas said.
Once completed, the Vendors Arcade is expected to provide Aishalton with additional commercial space while creating a sustainable source of income for the Village Council and supporting small-scale economic activity within the community.