- CONTRIBUTED
The masterminds behind Oakton Park Entertainment Complex, brothers Michael (second left) and Richard Lake with sister Ann Ventura and mother Lois Lake-Sherwood, at the opening of the complex on Hagley Park Road last Saturday.
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
THERE'S NEW life in the old city. Just drop into Half-Way Tree, wend your way to the immediate left of the area where the JUTC buses park and enter the Oakton Park Entertainment Complex, which held a soft opening last Saturday to showcase their range of offerings to city folks. To be more specific, it is located at 5-7 Hagley Park Road.
Built on one and a half acres of prime real estate, the complex which still has some kinks to be ironed out, comprises: a cambio, gaming room, game arcade, photo shop, pastry shop (still to come), a Burger King outlet (to come on stream), Popeye's chicken outlet, an art gallery, an amusement park (to come on stream), a printing/graphic design shop and a DVD exchange shop.
LEISURE HOURS
The Oakton Park Entertainment Complex will provide for persons from all walks of life and representing all age groups, with more than enough to occupy their leisure hours. Persons who have never ventured on the site will be pleasantly surprised by the grandeur, space and general ambience.
All of this will be under the guidance of Karen Clarke, general manager, who has earned a reputation for her exciting and unique Evenings of Elegance and annual Mind, Body and Soul women's retreats.
The original great house, which is one of several colonial style buildings across the island, will house the fast-food restaurant. A new and spacious two-storey building houses a club and disc jockey's cage, a quieter lounge area and well equipped gaming rooms downstairs.
AVAILABLE FOR STAGING EVENTS
On a tour of the facility, Mrs. Clarke told The Sunday Gleaner that it will be made available for persons who wish to hold events either in the spacious outdoor paved area or in any of the more private sections.
"Large groups do not have to worry about parking as we have made arrangements with the parish church and Holy Childhood High School," Mrs. Clarke said.
PRAYERS OFFERED
In his blessing, Father Romanus prayed for the safety and prosperity of all users of the complex. And, in thanking everyone for attending, Mrs. Clarke singled out the architects for restoring the great house to its former magnificence.
Guest speaker Fitz Jackson, minister of state in the ministry of finance, in declaring the complex open, said the venture marked "a partnerhip between government and the private sector in the thrust towards urban renewal. If we can replicate this downtown, it would be a great idea."
He encouraged majority investor Richard Lake to encourage his colleagues to follow his lead.
Adding spice to the evening's festivities were the high-energy Akwaba Drummers as well as Cindy Breakspeare backed by Rupert Bent and his band. Popular radio personality, Richard Burgess (Richie B), delivered his usual professional touch as MC.
