Construction is set to begin on a fully equipped youth centre as part of the Central Scranton Park project, the Ministry of Tourism and Ports has announced.
In a statement Friday night, the ministry said that Robson Construction has been contracted to begin work on Building 1 of the project, the youth centre facility.
On Thursday 11 July, Ministry of Tourism Chief Officer Stran Bodden and Jeremy Bodden, representing Robson Construction, signed the contract for the facility.
Construction is scheduled to commence mid-August and is expected to be completed by January 2025.
The Compass has requested the cost of the contract.
The ministry said minor preliminary works, such as site clearing in preparation for the first stages of the park’s development, have already commenced.
The official groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Thursday 12 Sept.
The Central Scranton Park project, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Ports, has been in the works for some time.
Last year, the plan for the new park was unveiled. It included two man-made ponds, a basketball court, a seniors’ centre, exercise equipment, landscaping, and a wishing well.
The project is being built on the site of an old community park and adjacent Crown land off Myles Lane.
The ministry said the park is designed to provide a safe, communal area in the heart of George Town.
“The space will promote sports, recreational activities and community engagement for residents of all ages. Covering an area of over 3 acres, the Ministry intends for the Park to be completed in two Phases,” it said.
Phase 1, in addition to the construction of the youth Centre, encompasses landscaping work, including the installation of water features around the pond.
Phase 2 involves the construction of a seniors’ centre, a bathroom block and a multi-purpose court for various sports including basketball, football, the statement said.
Tenders for both phases of the Central Scranton Park project are currently published on the government’s Bonfire Central Procurement System.
Interested parties wishing to bid on the projects have until 29 July 2024, when the procurement timeline closes.
Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism and George Town Central Member of Parliament, said he has been working closely with the Minister of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport and Development (PAHITD) and teams from the Public Works Department to develop preliminary plans and site drawings that which will be shared with the public.
“The provision of this type of facility is long overdue as the Central George Town area has very little space allocated for community and recreation activities. In fact, studies have shown that only 0.1 percent of public open greenspace currently exists within this area, which highlights the urgent need for this type of public amenity,” he said.
Once completed, Bryan said the Central Scranton Park will provide a beautiful, community-friendly space that will be a tremendous asset to the George Town area.
“I am confident that it will encourage residents to not only walk and exercise, but to also socialise together in a safe, communal environment,” he added.
The Ministry said visual renderings of the park will be shared with the public at the September groundbreaking ceremony, when the community can learn more about the park and its development.
Related Videos
