Bouygues travaux Publics, the contractors responsible for Highway 2000, recently repaired the Independence City Primary schoolyard free of cost as part of their community relations.

A number of persons were instrumental in getting the project on track.

Teachers from the school, inclusive of Verbena Smith-Ellis, Janice Dias and M. Sinclair, made the initial link with Keith Blake, councillor for the Independence City division. After a series of meetings with Mr. Blake, a letter was drafted by the school, and Councillor Blake then took the letter to the French construction company.

"The action of Bouygues Construction company is very timely. I came to this school and saw that there was a problem. The grounds of the school were in a poor state," Councillor Blake said. He continued: "I went to the management of Bouygues and asked them as a corporate citizen to assist the school and they answered the call."

Eric Douglas, justice of the peace and chairman of the Independence City School Board was equally pleased. "It's a long time I have been waiting for something like this, and think it's timely. I have to give credit to Mr. (Keith) Blake. He was instrumental in us getting the place paved," Mr. Douglas said. Eric Jones, the construction company's asphalt manager, who supervised the project, went to Jean Noel Foulard, the project manager and he gave the ok for the work to be done.

The work took two days to complete.

The scope of the work included the paving of an open area at the north end of the school, used by the institution to perform devotions and other special events.

Another area paved was a section of the school near the playing field. This will be used for a multi-purpose court.

Independence City Primary is one of a number of schools in the municipality of Portmore to have their yards upgraded by Bouygues.