By Dale McNish, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
DETERMINED TO build its economic base and to get its fair share of the tourism pie, Hanover's capital Lucea has moved a step closer in that direction through its promotion of "Dateline With Destiny Hanover's Hub," a project aimed at bringing economic viability to that town.
A delegation drawn from the Hanover Parish Development Committee and the Hanover Parish Council recently visited Arnold Bertram, the Minister of Local Government, Youth and Community Development, and outlined plans for tapping into the tourism market with the hope of spurring government funding.
According to the projections outlined, between $15-20 million is needed to redevelop and bring new life to Lucea's tourism product.
The computer enhanced presentation to Minister Bertram gave a historical background of the parish. It was complemented with attractive photographs, highlighting some of the Hanover's treasured assets.
"The Minister was impressed with the presentation and expressed delight at what he saw... as a matter of fact he said he didn't even know that the parish was so beautiful," said Kayleen Grant, the Parish Council's commercial services manager, who piloted the presentation.
According to Ms. Grant, the Minister has suggested that the presentation be televised via the Jamaica Information service (JIS).
Why the name 'Dateline With Destiny?'
"Over the years the former generations have talked about doing many things but these never materialised," said Ms. Grant. "The present generation is serious and plans to be more proactive hence a 'Dateline With Destiny' is designed to brings to life a sleeping giant Lucea."
Features
Among the places featured were the historic Fort Charlotte Harbour, Lucea Town Hall and Blenheim the birthplace of national hero, Sir Alexander Bustamante.
"Tourism is the fastest growth area in the economy, and Lucea has the physical and historical infrastructure and has now realised that its own future is tied into the nexus of tourism," read a section of the parish's biography.
Lucea accounts for less than 10 per cent of the parish's population of about 70,000, "but while Hanover's delicately cut borders see the coastal extremities of Round Hill and Negril poised for further developments, Lucea goes a begging for development," the biography stated.
Bent on seeing Fort Charlotte becoming "a serious product to be preserved, shared and its beauty and charm extolled to visitors," the Public Works Department, which now occupies the outer area of the Fort will be relocated to the old Social Development Commission building.
Once up and running, the small beach area that is part of the Fort Charlotte facility would also open up the possibility for the sheltered Lucea harbour to become a major asset as a water-sport facility and eventual cruise ship berth.
The planned reclamation of nine acres of land behind the Lucea Market is expected to enhance the viability of the tourism product providing for craft and other vendors. The reclaimed area would lend itself to the possible development of a jetty and other marine activities including a boardwalk.
The long term objective of Hanover's Hub, according to committee members is to create an expansion towards the coastal extremes Negril in the west and Round Hill in the east.
The initiators of the project has as their motto: "Time might be the master. Our generation needs to be the master of these times."
