Ward Theatre renovation slated for completion in 2019.
RENOVATION OF the 106-yearold Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, now under way, is slated to be done by the middle of next year.
This was announced by chairman of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams.
The KSAMC is jointly spearheading the project with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.
According to Williams, the work, which is about 80 per cent complete, is expected to be concluded in September 2019.
"I believe we will all be proud of the building [when] we have done the renovations," said Williams.
He was speaking during the recent launch of the Alpha Mercy Historical Centre project, located on the Alpha campus at 26 South Camp Road in the Corporate Area.
Williams said that work carried out on the theatre to date includes the installation of waterproof membrane on the roof, the fitting of countertops and basins in one restroom and four changing rooms, installation of drywall ceiling and sanitary fixtures, and wall repairs.
He contended that the historic building, which is a prominent feature in the downtown Kingston redevelopment plan, is a potential tourist attraction that can aid in transforming the nation's capital into a destination city for visitors.
The Ward Theatre was presented to the city as a gift in 1912 by then Custos Rotulorum of Kingston Colonel Charles Ward. The site it occupies in downtown Kingston has been in continuous use as a theatre since the 1770s.
Williams has also announced that the KSAMC is partnering with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust to restore the clock tower and war memorial in Cross Roads, St Andrew.
FUNDING NEEDED
He said the KSAMC is seeking funding for the undertaking, which will include renovating the edifice's exterior and installing paving stones along the area around the tower.
The landmark was built to honour the memory of servicemen from Kingston and St Andrew who fought and died in World War II.
Williams argued that the project is significant in light of the fact that Kingston has a rich history that "is not celebrated".
"We do not see our history permeating our city, and that is a problem. Part of instilling pride in our city and our country, and part of creating this destination city, which is part of the vision we have for Kingston, is that we have to [live] our history within our city," said Williams.