A partnership between Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, and Gore Development Limited, has resulted in the completion of the construction of a state-of-the-art dining room facility at the William Knibb Memorial High School.
The project, a brainchild of the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association, started seven years ago, but was only recently completed with the financial thrust of $1.5 million by Gore Development Limited and an undetermined sum from Bolt, a past student of the Trelawny-based school.
The new facility, which will not only provide seating accommodation for the over 1,300 students, but has also resulted in the much-needed expansion of the canteen’s serving area, was handed over on Monday by Gore Development Limited and Jennifer Bolt, on behalf of her celebrity son.
Newly-appointed principal of William Knibb, Dr Mark Nicely, who applauded the alliance between the Bolt Foundation, Gore Development and the school, said it augurs well for nation-building.
“There is nothing more that any public educational institution desires than to have this kind of partnership where all stakeholders partner in the interest of nation-building and in the interest of the welfare of the students that we serve,” stated Nicely.
He added that among the many benefits, the facility is allows the students to sit comfortably and have their meals.
“As a result of this facility, we will see the improvement of the dignity of our students as they have their meals, and we will also see the improvement of social graces of our students.
“The school can now boast of a facility that meets the standards of our health authority and we are indeed proud of such a facility,” he noted.
Meanwhile, representing Gore Development Limited, which is now developing Gore’s Florence Hall Village Housing Project, minutes away from William Knibb, Chris Gore said it is customary for his company to be involved in community outreach projects in neighbourhoods where they invest.
“We invest not only in creating a community with our developments, but we also invest in the neighbourhoods, the towns, the schools that are around the developments which we participate in.
“It was with great privilege and honour that we got together in conjunction with the Usain Bolt Foundation to undertake and now complete the rehabilitation and completion of the dining room,” Gore remarked.
In the meantime, Jennifer Bolt pledged her son’s continued support of his alma mater.
“I know he will continue to do his best in whatever field or whatever is happening here because I know he loves his school and whatever it is for him to do, I know he will do it,” she stated.
