The St Ann Parish Council has received 32 acres of land near to several major developments for the purpose of recreational development, in Drax Hall.
The title to the land was handed over at the monthly meeting on Thursday, April 14.
Among those attending for the handing over were former retired secretary Cynthia Graham, former MP Manley Bowen and developer Andrew Salm, son of well known developer Richard Salm.
According to statements at the meeting, the Parish Council had pointed out from early in the development at Drax Hall that one acre of land should be set aside for every 40 lots identified for development. Arrangements were made for titles and Richard Salm promised they would be handed over to the Council as soon as the title was available. The initial development was for over 300 lots which would have required eight acres to be left aside for recreational development. Instead Mr Salm has provided four times that number.
That process of getting the title has taken nearly 20 years and Ms Graham, invited to the handing over ceremony, congratulated the present chairman, Desmond Gilmore for considering her and thanked Mr Salm for keeping his promise. She said it was all along intended that Drax Hall, now mainly used as a football field, should be expanded and used as a multi sport complex. She suggested that the Council ask a developer to help in preparing the area for several sports.
For his part Manley Bowen said the journey started in 1996/97 when he was MP. He hailed Richard Salm as an honourable man for getting the titles to the Council.
Andrew Salm said he was pleased to hand over the title on behalf of his father.
Chairman of the Council, Mayor Gilmore said the Jamaica Tennis Association had already been approached and said three world standard courts could be built, in addition to a practice court.
He said the Council would ensure that it be developed for the cause of the people of St Ann. The lands adjoin the present football field and are close to several developments and the communities of St Ann’s Bay, Steer Town, Drax Hall and Mammee Bay.
