NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (November 27, 2019) — The community of Gingerland is preparing for the new multi-purpose facility nearing completion at Market Shop in Gingerland in time for its official opening and naming on Thursday, November 28, 2019, and some residents are opening welcoming the newest addition to the Parish of St. George’s.

Ms. Sidonie Maynard; Ms. Deloris Weekes; Mr. Sterling Heyliger; and Mr. Mc Clevon Tross were visiting the site on November 25, 2019 where they met with Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Social Development and the Area Representative while he was getting a first-hand look at the ongoing work ahead of the official opening.

Ms. Maynard did not hesitate to express her satisfaction and invited members of the public to the opening ceremony.

“I’m proud to be a happy ‘Gingerlander’ this morning, and I am proud of the new facility we have here and I trust, which I know, the people of Gingerland appreciate it.

“We will have the opening and the launch on Thursday night and I want everyone to come out and just enjoy it because we are going to have a lot of different stuff happening here, and in the future we can do different things, different activities. So let’s just enjoy it and congratulate our Honourable Minister Mr. Eric Evelyn and thank him. It’s a nice place. You guys come on out and see for yourselves,” she said.

Ms. Weekes who hails from Hanley’s Road in Gingerland, noted that her visit was in an effort to show her appreciation.

“I come here today to show appreciation for what Minister Eric Evelyn has done. I feel it is a great investment for Gingerland, Market Shop. When I came up here a few weeks ago it was very delightful. I never ever expect this was the project they were doing, so I came and I saw for myself and it’s a really, really nice piece of work.

“I hope that Gingerland people appreciate it, and even Nevis people come out on the 28th to celebrate the opening and to see the place because it has turned into such a beautiful scenery in Gingerland, and I am very, very proud of the minister and I pray that God continue to bless him and the Nevis Island Government…to continue to do great projects in Nevis,” she said.

Mr. Heyliger commended those responsible for changing the area.

“I am a ‘Gingerlander’ and I grew up all these years seeing what it was like before, and I want to congratulate all the stakeholders… because this is really a first class facility. In our local language when somebody comes from the bottom to the top we normally say ‘they go from rags to riches’, so this entire area has been transformed.

“All I really want the general public to do is to come on out and support the functions that are held here. It’s going to be a win-win situation for both. The public is going to get a quality facility to attend functions. The government, having made the investment and is offering this property for rental they in turn will get some revenue,” he said.

Mr. Heyliger also had some advice for those who will be utilising and managing the facility.

“I just want to urge the public to take care of the facility because it is not cheap, and those persons who are going to manage it, they need to manage it properly so you don’t have double bookings and confusion basically but all in all, it’s a worthwhile development and I am very happy to be standing here this morning to see what this area has been transformed to… I guess I cannot be more proud to have a facility like that in Gingerland,” he said.

Mr. Tross commended the contractors for their quality work and also encouraged the public to support the upcoming Gingerama festival.

“It’s a marvellous facility. I must say kudos to the contractors they did a splendid job. The finishing is excellent. I mean with Gingerama around the corner I think it is fitting that this would be ready in time. The festival has great build-up and I’m taking this opportunity to encourage all that have never been here to come out and see this facility.

“You just can’t come by yourself. You have to bring a few people with you to share in the ambience. It’s an excellent facility, and I think once the crowd and the patrons are on their best behaviour we will have a wonderful Gingerama coming up, and I think that that would serve the Gingerland community well,” he said.