The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell yesterday lashed out at allegations that the Fox Hill Community Centre was paid for by “the Chinese,” calling the rumours racist and defamatory.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Mitchell singled out his opponent, Democratic National Alliance candidate for Fox Hill Kendal Smith, whom he alleged was associated with the allegations circulating “in various chat groups”.

Mr Mitchell called the rumour a “falsehood” that was also “libelous and defamatory” adding that the appropriate action will be taken.

Mr Mitchell added that he had previously warned Mr Smith that the political hopeful did not have to “make up stories” in his desperation to win.

“The plain and simple story is that this centre is built by contributions from ordinary Fox Hillians, public private partnerships with Bahamian businesses and the Bahamas government.”

The Tribune tried to contact Mr Smith but did not receive a response up to press time.

In yesterday’s press statement, Mr Mitchell referred to his remarks at the opening of the centre on April 1, which charted the history of the project that began in 1990.

The corporation Fox Hill Community Centre is a licensed non-profit, Mr Mitchell said, with a board of directors with representatives from area churches, the Original Congoes Junkanoo Group and the Fox Hill Festival Committee.

The land was conveyed by late Minister for Housing George Mackey; however, the Cabinet minister’s committee only managed to build a foundation before Mr Mackey left office in 1997. No further action would be taken until 2002, according to Mr Mitchell, who noted that he took up the project when he came to office.

“New plans for a building were drawn by Sheldon Maycock, a Fox Hillian and construction began,” he said.

“I must recognise Ashley Glinton of Woslee Dominion and his sub-contractor Lawrence Hepburn who brought the structure of the auditorium and first floor to the point where we could begin to use the building for various functions following the laying of the cornerstone in 2007 by then Governor General Arthur D Hanna.”

Mr Mitchell continued: “The structure remained that way when we lost office in 2007 and we pecked away until the year 2012 when we returned with the promise to finish the building. I must give credit to Warren Davis, aka ‘Dancer,’ for his pushing to get it finished and he is the project manager on this last phase.”

Mr Mitchell said the project was brought to completion after the Ministry of National Security facilitated access to funding from the Inter-American Development Bank as part of the Citizen Security Initiative loan.

IDB funding also will be responsible for the management of the building and its programmes, Mr Mitchell added.

The remaining shortfall was covered by the government of The Bahamas, he said.