A new community centre in Waterlane, constructed as part of the 'Lift Up Jamaica' program, was officially opened by Fitz Jackson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, on July 12. The facility was built at a cost of $3.8 million, with 35 local young people employed during the construction phase. Jackson has commented that the new centre 'must be a facility, where the community can come together…to plan and realise its development,' and has urged the young people of Waterlane to make use of the centre for skills training and social development. The centre will house the Waterlane Basic School, and is the meeting place for the community’s Police Youth Club, the netball group, the Citizens Association and other civic groups. A skills training program in food preparation is now being operated from the centre involving 22 young people from Waterlane and surrounding communities.