Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said on Wednesday (May 26), during the launch of the Alpha Mercy Historical Centre project, that a sum of $100 million from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) would be allocated towards the redevelopment of the 40-acre Alpha Campus over a five-year period.

The campus is located on South Camp road in Kingston, Jamaica.

“We have agreed that it will be provided in tranches of $20 million over the five-year cycle that is required for the building out of the facility,” said Bartlett.

The Historical Centre is a part of the redevelopment with its purpose to serve as a museum showcasing a collection of data, artifacts and other materials portraying the tradition and history of the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica, especially that of Sister Bernadette, and their contribution and continued support and effect on the country’s and school’s cultural, social and academic development.

T. Patriece Parker-Williams, vice-principal and dean of academic affairs, speaking with Our Today on Monday (May 31), said: “The campus being a heritage landmark, speaking to the Academy itself, wasn’t allowed to do any major renovation on the property. However, I am glad for the recognition of the campus and the redevelopment of the property now and the impact it will have on the students’ cultural, social and academic growth.”

Parker-Williams said there would be improvements on the different class blocks, as well as an improved science lab which will be called the Multi-Purpose Science Lab where all the sciences can be practised in one space versus going across the school to different lab spaces.

She said that, among the benefits the redevelopment will have on the students is exposure to new opportunities such as exploring their natural talents at the soon-to-be developed centre for the performing and visual arts for girls.

Parker-Williams noted that this would provide a tremendous benefit to them through networking with different girls on a daily basis or visitors to the renovated campus.

However, Parker-Williams said while she understood the minister’s intent, which is to redevelop the landmark into a tourism attraction, efforts would have to be made to ensure there is no negative impact on the school and student lifestyle.

“Yes, the renovation is good, and the revenue will help to develop the school in other areas. I see future growth and improvement, I just don’t want the girls to get distracted by all these new changes,” she said.

“I am just genuinely happy that the school and its tradition is getting the positive highlights it deserves.”

The Alpha Mercy Historical Centre will not be on the academy’s compound itself but, rather, beside the academy on another part of the 40-acre land.

The centre/museum is expected to contribute to community and heritage tourism and will include a peace garden that is designed to promote harmony.

A full breakdown

Through the TEF there will be a contribution of $10.8 million towards the establishment of the museum.

The funds will go towards reroofing and conversion of the north garage into an office building; entry and courtyard; covered walkways; refurbishing the area for conservation of archives; completion of display areas and conference room; façade improvement and removal of garage shed; historic display content, storyboards, portraits and artistic reproductions, landscaping and benches for the peace garden.

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has donated $3 million for the renovation of the building to be converted into the museum.

Bartlett commended the Sisters of Mercy for their dedicated charity work, which he said has benefited scores of young people.

“We have to look at how we build on that tradition, extend that legacy and create more. I want more capital development of the human spirit.”

Area administrator for Sisters of Mercy, Sister Susan Frazer, thanked the TEF and CHASE for their “generous donations” and hailed the tourism minister saying: “They have the expertise that we want and access to the support that is available from government… so that an authentic and attractive community heritage tourism product can be (developed), which welcomes local and international visitors to Kingston.”