Rasbert Turner, Spanish Town

THE COMMUNITY of Sligoville in St. Catherine is set to benefit from a multi-faceted sports complex to be built at a cost of US$3 million by the Chinese Government.

The announcement was made at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday at the Sligoville Community Centre.

The complex, which is expected to start constructing later this month, will be built on land belonging to the Ministry of Land and Environment. It will be able, upon completion, to host cricket matches with a seating capacity of 1,200 people, a football field, a six-lane running track and a basketball court with 600 feet in coverage area, with night lighting facilities and fence. There will also be facilities for table tennis.

ECONOMIC SPIN-OFF

At the groundbreaking ceremony, the Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine, K.D. Knight, told the gathering that the complex will have great spin-off economically for residents of Sligoville and surrounding communities. He added that it was a dream come true and the next Veronica Campbell or Asafa Powell might come from the Sligoville community.

In his response, the Chinese Ambassador, Zhan Zhenya, said he was pleased that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had contacted the Chinese Government and that building such a facility could only enhance the ability of the Jamaican people.

When finished, the complex will have a 2,012 square metre paved parking space and 1,600 square metres unpaved.

Several sports personalities were in attendance at the ceremony including Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association president Howard Aris, former national netball captain Connie Francis and Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland from the St. Catherine FA.