The long-awaited statue of iconic sprinter Usain Bolt is now mounted on the upgraded fountain in Water Square, Falmouth Trelawny.

Mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC), Councillor Collen Gager, revealed that the TMC and the office of Culture Minister Olivier ‘Babsy’ Grange are in discussions to determine a date for the official unveiling of the statue of the legendary sprinter, who is a native of Sherwood Content in Trelawny. 

“We should be having a meeting soon with Minister Grange’s office and the persons in charge, and the final date will be planned for the official unveiling,” the mayor said.

Gager, however, voiced concern about the lack of guard rails around the fountain, warning that without them, individuals—particularly those of unsound mind—might attempt to enter and bathe under the water, which spouts up to eight feet high.

He stressed the need to secure the area to prevent misuse while people take photos near the colourful display.

“It is very beautiful. It is something to be seen, and I can’t wait for it to be opened to the public,” Gager said.

Gager said that with the upcoming unveiling of the Bolt statue in Water Square, efforts are being made to regulate vending in the town. Some vendors will be relocated, and a meeting is planned with the police, Port Authority, and other stakeholders to develop and coordinate the plans.

“We will be making sure that the town is spick and span. We can’t have a statue of an icon like that in the town, and we can’t keep the town in a beautiful condition that is acceptable both to the public and to visitors coming in,” he argued.

“We are going to be working with the police. We are going to be working with our municipal police, and we are going to keep a sharp eye out so that we don’t have this happening in the town. We are going to be talking with the police and see how they can help us with maybe some late-night patrol. We’ll have to look at our municipal police and see how we can stagger their hours so that the town is kept in a beautiful condition,” he added.

Gager explained that the Port Authority of Jamaica recently removed the benches it had installed in Water Square, as they had become weathered and dirty over time. The benches were taken up, refurbished, and have since been replaced in the town.

“They (Port Authority of Jamaica) are also working on the potted plants. They have taken them up, and they are making sure some nice plants are planted there that will add to the whole ambience of the town. So they are working on it, and we are thankful that they are partnering with us,” Gager said.