New community resource centre dedicated

From the size of the celebration, it could have been a welcome reception for the Queen of England, as there were more politicians than in the House of Representatives and more school presentations than the Festival of Arts. But the only queen in sight was Queen Street, home of the new Fort George Community Resource Centre. Built at a cost of four hundred thousand dollars and designed by architect Gustavo Guerra, Prime Minister and Fort George area rep Said Musa says he hopes the two-storey facility will become a model for area representatives across the country.

Prime Minister Said Musa, Area Rep., Fort George

“Two words best describe this building: community and resource. Community because it is a centre to serve the needs of the community. Resource because it was built as a centre for human resource development. For the children who need a safe, quiet, well-lit, well-supervised place where they can come to do their homework, this centre will be their second home. For the adults who want to upgrade their education, this centre will afford and offer courses in adult and continuing education. For the youths who want to meet and hold discussions and engage in their personal developments, read a book, a magazine, do some research, hold poetry readings, debate elocution contest, public speaking, this will be their centre. And for the elderly, who want a night out maybe once a month for a bingo game, this is your centre too.”

“The only thing we insist on at this centre is absolute order, discipline, and respectful behaviour from all who enter this centre. No liquor, no drugs, no indecent words, no loitering, no spitting, no littering, no loud or unruly behaviour.”

According to the Prime Minister, the building will also be used to conduct computer and sewing classes, and as office of the area representative, whoever that may be. For at least the next four years it will house the Prime Minister’s Belize City office.