Renovated Gann’s Rest Home officially opened
For six decades Gann’s Rest House served an important social duty but over those years, wear, tear and theft left the institution a little more than a shack. But tonight we’re happy to report that there’s renewed life at number sixty East Canal. News Five’s Kendra Griffith has more.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
More than four years after its closure, this afternoon the Salvation Army Church officially re-opened Gann’s Rest House. According to Regional Commander Major Errol Robateau, some thirty-eight thousand dollars were spent renovating the East Canal homeless shelter.
Major Errol Robateau, Regional Cmdr., Salvation Army
“We were able, after much troubles and trials, to complete the rewiring, the repairing and the painting of this building, bringing it back to what it is today. The thieves had robbed everything in it and were about to strip the walls. All the electrical wirings were removed, even the main switch box were removed, the water tank was removed, the water pump was removed, beds were stolen and a few windows were taken out.”
And although they’ve cut the ribbon today, the building is not yet accepting occupants as financing has yet to be secured for the remaining repairs and operational costs.
Major Errol Robateau
“We are looking at a budget right now of some seventy-five thousand dollars per annum to let this place work. We are looking towards a capacity of twenty men. We will, if we get this budget passed, be able to give them—on top of paying our bills—breakfast and supper just as we do at the Raymond Parks Shelter. We will need your help. We will need the help of the public.”
One group which has pledged their financial and moral support to the Salvation Army is the Belize City Council. According to Councillor Wayne Usher, CITCO is working with several agencies to see how they can assist persons living on the streets.
Wayne Usher, Belize City Councillor
“We want to … not get the people off the streets; that sounds bad. It’s not that at all. We want to humanely try and give more dignity to their existence and we don’t see them as dignified sleeping in and around downtown Belize City. It is as plain as that. So we are going to try and find another option because they need options. That is not an option.”
Special guests at today’s ceremony were Territorial Commanders Commissioners Raymond and Judith Houghton based in Jamaica. Kendra Griffith, reporting for News Five.
The Salvation Army has launched its annual maintenance appeal to raise the necessary funds to carry out its work.
