After more than four long years, the work on the St. John’s Magistrates Court’s original home is done, finally enabling the Court to be moved from the Community Centre at Knuckle Block. The Community Centre will subsequently be handed to the community.
In anticipation of this handover, the necessary mechanisms need to be in place to ensure that the centre is ready for use and that a proper management structure is in place.
I therefore propose that a nine-member non-partisan Management Committee be established to ensure the restoration and full utilisation of the centre. The Constituency MP and any Constituency Caretaker should form a part of the said committee.
The committee, in consultation with other constituency stakeholders, shall draft plans for the management, use and maintenance of the centre.
The centre is expected to be a vital hub for our community, offering a place for gatherings, education, and recreation. However, it’s current run-down state is a cause for major concern and requires immediate attention.
The facility has suffered significant wear and tear over the almost five years of occupation by the Magistrates’ Court. There are several areas where the roof leaks badly, mold has developed in multiple places, and several windows are broken.
To this end, I call on the Government to meet its responsibility to quickly restore OUR facility to its original condition; and make it fully ready for use for the benefit of OUR community. This should begin immediately and include mechanisms to properly secure, protect and safeguard the premises.
I also call on all community stakeholders, including businesses, churches, sports and cultural associations, and members at large to rally together to support the full restoration of the facility.
While the Government has the primary responsibility to address the major repairs, we need a collaborative effort to bring the Knuckle Block Centre back to its former glory. This is not just a building; it’s a symbol of our community’s strength and unity. Together, we can restore the Knuckle Block Centre and ensure it serves OUR community for generations to come.
Richard S. Lewis MP
