The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Reggae House: fresh, new look for players' residence

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

An elated Captain Horace Burrell (second left), president of the Jamaica Football Federation, cuts the ribbon to officially reopen the refurbished players' residence. Dennis Harris (second right), deputy managing director, Courts Jamaica, Technical Director Rene Simoes (right) and Reggae Boy Deon Burton look on. - Ian Allen

Courts Jamaica Limited yesterday handed over the players' residence of the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), following a $4 million refurbishing exercise.

The interior and exterior of the building were renovated and the house now boasts a vibrant new look. The building, which had deteriorated significantly over the last few years, was repainted, courtesy of Sherwin Williams Jamaica. Lighting and plumbing fixtures were replaced, the dining room, bathroom walls and kitchenette retiled, and Ping's Fabrics provided drapery for all rooms.

Refurbished residence

The house was also outfitted with 16 new bunks and the necessary bedding sets. Counters were installed and appropriate chairs provided for the kitchenette and dining areas. Additionally, the house was furnished with a new living room suite, patio and coffee table set, a plasma television and a microwave.

President of the JFF, Captain Horace Burrell, in officially reopening the refurbished residence, urged the Reggae Boyz and Girlz to make use of the facilities while ensuring that they took responsibility in taking care of the furniture and the other amenities provided for them.

"Today, because of Courts and the various partners we are, as the JFF, very proud to have this refurbished facility," Captain Burrell said.

"Since April of this year we've had several camps almost every week. Jamaica is in the process of preparing its national teams, so you can understand the high usage of this compound. So I cannot overemphasise the necessity of this facility," he added.

Meanwhile, Dennis Harris, deputy managing director of Courts, affirmed his company's commitment to working with the JFF in giving back to the community.

"As a company, we feel that sport is an important aspect of our lives, and in Jamaica football has for many years been identified as the number one sport. We have made a huge investment in this building and sincerely hope that the improvement will help to boost morale, and enrich the lives of the occupants," Harris concluded.

Courts, Jamaica's largest furniture and appliance retailer, has been sponsoring the Reggae Boyz for over 15 years, and was one of the first companies to sponsor the national team in executing its activities during the 1998 Road to France campaign.