NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Jahman Delancy plasters the gazebo and concession stand at the historic Southern Recreation Grounds, the government’s redevelopment project is also helping to restore the 26-year-old’s dignity, along with that of other young men in the Over-the-Hill community.
“I have to pay rent and put food on the table, so I’m really, really, highly grateful for the opportunity to have this job. It’s been really rough,” said Delancy, the father of a three-month-old daughter.
Last year, he lost his job at an event and occasions design and management company due to the pandemic. He was still weathering the economic fallout from COVID-19 when he had a chance encounter with Stephano Curry, the 27-year-old owner of Maximum Building Construction Services.
The two-year-old company is renovating and upgrading the buildings on site — the historic gazebo, the two-story concession stand and a bathroom block.
Curry’s agreement with the project’s general contractor, Atillio Holdings Company Ltd, stipulates the employment of at least one individual from the community. Delancy, a Hay Street resident, fit the bill. He possessed work experience in the field and lived a stone’s throw away.
Curry said: “Some guys do not have anything to do. It’s beautiful to see them want to work, willing to work, instead of going out there and doing something that’s negative. It makes me feel good to help put food on the table of people in the community.”
Delancy then introduced his new boss to other young men struggling to find work and Curry took on another five men from the community, rounding out his workforce to 13 men at the Southern Recreation Grounds.
There are 12 companies working under Atillio Holdings Company Ltd to restore the historic Southern Recreation Grounds to its former glory. Atillio is a subsidiary of the Bahamas Striping Group of Companies (BSGC), which got its start from a $5,000 grant from the government back in 2010.
Atario Mitchell, BSGC president, said: “I know what it is to look for a job left, right and center. The path to getting us where we are now, as a company, was not an easy one. We faced tremendous hurdles. Whatever we can do to help spread the money around, to help persons provide for themselves and their families, we do it.”
According to BSGC Chairman Dominic Sturrup, the company feels “obligated” to help develop other young Bahamian business owners once they’re able to meet the standard of work the company seeks.
Work on Phase 2 of Southern Recreation Grounds’ redevelopment began last month. It is expected to be completed in May.
One contractor wishing he had a bigger role to play in such an important recreational project is Theodore “Ted” Davis, the 52-year-old owner of Davis Heavy Metal who said he is invested in the project.
Davis started his business in 1987. He specializes in heavy structural welding and is associated with major projects such as IMAX, Princess Margaret Hospital’s Critical Care Block, the Straw Market and Quality Home Centre.
“I was hoping for something like this for a long, long time. I told my guys we are doing this for us and getting paid to do this. Can you imagine getting paid to do something for yourself?” he asked.
“The section of the park that’s finished is beautiful and relaxing. Some of my guys have little kids coming up. This is somewhere they can take their children, so it’s always a great feeling to be a part of change and growth.”
Davis is himself a product of the inner-city community. He grew up through Ross Corner, where his business is located. Many of his workers hail from the area.
He believes the area is long overdue for a transformation.
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