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Potential Economic Boost from Shade House

Published:Tuesday | March 17, 2015 | 11:55 AM
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Interior of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission shade house at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, equipped with its own irrigation system and boasting more than 10 different varieties of plants and herbs.
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Jean Lowrie-Chin (centre), chairman, Digicel Foundation, admires some of the plants in the JCDC shade house, at its unveiling on Wednesday, March 11. Looking on, from left, are: Thelma Johill, board commissioner; Aston Cooke, chairman, JCDC; Delroy Gordon, its executive director; and Raymond Pryce, member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth.
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A newly developed shade house funded by the Digicel Jamaica Foundation will provide a much needed economic boost for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). Annually, the JCDC is expected to save $1 million through the rental of plants from the recently constructed shade house, situated at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

"The shade house will increase the revenue of the JCDC, reducing its expenditure on events production, and generate much needed support to our planned programmes and activities," said Delroy Gordon, executive director of the JCDC.

The shade house will also improve the commercial value and sustainability of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. "The addition of vegetables and herbs to the offerings will continue to create a second income stream for the shade house as at least three crops can be reaped and sold per season from the vegetables," Gordon added.

According to Jean Lowrie-Chin, chairman of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation, the JCDC must be commended for embracing entrepreneurship through the investment by the foundation of $2.2 million.

"This is the type of new thinking and innovative activity that will help both our public and private sectors overcome the budgetary challenges that we all face. The Digicel Jamaica Foundation, therefore, sees this project as one that exemplifies responsible

governance," Lowrie-Chin said.

As the main events management arm of the Government, the JCDC provides support for national, civic, cultural, and private events.

The shade house currently houses more than 30 plants, including aglonema, areca palms, dracena canes, anthuriums, and spathylliums. An irrigation system has been installed, with a pressure tank and pump to ensure the plants, vegetables, and herbs are misted to guarantee proper growth and maintenance.

Training will be offered by Nature's Paradise to the property staff at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, who will oversee the project.