The government has signed a contract with Premier Importers for the construction of a community center that will also serve as a hurricane shelter in the Pinewood area.

At a press conference held on Monday Member of Parliament for Pinewood, the Hon. Myles Laroda said, “this has facilities that will be allocated for the police and also we are still in the process with a few government agencies if only to be an express point. Pinewood has an aging population element in it. So imagine a facility that houses some where where NIB or social services clients could go to be reassessed or assessed or pick up their benefits. All of this went into the planning stages.”

Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe also attended in attendance and spoke to the crime prevention possibilities the community center will provide. He said, “while you look at the building also be mindful that the redevelopment will involve refurbishment of the baseball diamond there, the tennis court and the playground area for children. This will be a facility that draws in the community so that we can get to know each other. We look forward to this partnership with Premier Importers Ltd. We thank the principal Mr. Christopher Leadon for partnering with the government in this design, build, finance and transfer project.”

The future community center will be located on the current Pinewood Gardens park site. The project is expected to be complete in one year.