Clayton Burgin, the former parliamentary representative for East St George, is happy that the EC$2.339 million Calliaqua Town Hall building has officially been opened.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Burgin said the building, funded by the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC), will serve a wide cross-section of the community.  

The retired politician said the former town hall was a dilapidated structure and when the Unity Labour Party (ULP) came to power, he took a proposal for the refurbishment of the building to Cabinet and was gifted with EC$300,000 by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Burgin said the initial amount proved too meagre, as when he approached architect Milton Mayers for a concept, he was given a plan for a building that would cost over EC$1 million to build.

He said over time, funding was found, and now, the community has a facility to be proud of, which will serve the needs of the people.

The building houses a day care centre, a post office, a computer lab, a library, a town hall and a magistrate’s court.

“I would like us to frequent the various components of this facility, except for the magistrate’s court,” said Burgin, who is happy to have started the process that gave the community the building.

“I would like you to take really good care of this beautiful edifice… I want you to use the facility and do not vandalize it; keep it pristine. I encourage persons to use the facilities to upgrade themselves. We did not build it just to put up something beautiful, but to enhance the community,” said Burgin, also thanking the ROC for their financial input.

Burgin called for the building to be renamed soon in honour of one of the distinguished sons or daughters of the soil.

The facility is being managed by town clerk Foster Hannibal.

Also addressing the ceremony, chief engineer Brent Bailey said the building represents part of the Government’s educational thrust.

He said the facility, with a total floor area of 9,200 square feet, is one that is geared towards education.

Bailey said Burgin wanted to incorporate certain components into one facility, so architect Timothy Douglas was called upon to design the facility, which was built by Minors Construction Ltd, with the electrical work done by Trotman’s Electronics and interior design by Décor Products.

“This facility is a learning resource centre plus, and as such, a lot of care and attention was put into getting the facility where we are today,” said Bailey, adding, “I believe that this town hall adds value to the community of Calliaqua. This facility does add considerable value to the lives of the people in East St George.”

Bailey said that persons should treat the facility as their own and work with the administrators who will oversee the operation of the building to keep it in a functional state, so that it will continue to serve the community.(LC)