Guyana Chronicle
June 19, 2001

THE opening of a US$2.3M hotel, at Lot 456-458 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, last Friday afternoon, provided the occasion for a rare pooling of ideas towards the betterment of Georgetown.

The owner and Executive Director of La Familia Country Club, Mr Hubert Burke spoke of plans to enhance the surroundings and President Bharrat Jagdeo, Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green as well as Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President, Captain Gerry Gouveia added their views.

Diplomats were among those in the audience comprising other distinguished persons as Mr Jagdeo urged Mayor Green to utilise a substantial amount of the $470M City Hall would receive from Central Government for the implementation of special projects in South Georgetown.

The President acknowledged the La Familia venture had significantly improved the surroundings and called on the municipality to clean up the area and invest in such a way that youths can benefit.

He said, if that could be done effectively, he is willing to commit more money for the purpose.

President Jagdeo said it was a "wise initiative" by Burke, given the "maligned nature" of the location.

The Head of State said the courage displayed by Burke is a character trait of many overseas-based Guyanese who have a deep love for their country.

He concurred that opportunities have to be created for them to invest funds they have accumulated over the years while several locations are improved to make the investments possible.

President Jagdeo agreed the Government has to do much more to develop the tourism sector but said THAG, too, must establish a support system to assist persons wanting to invest similarly.

He said he would require "a more expansive attitude" from THAG in welcoming other such investors and he invited Burke to call on him should he encounter difficulties or need whatever help is possible to make the business successful.

Mr Hoyte joined in congratulating Burke for the courage he showed when the economy "is in difficulty" and persons are "dis-investing" rather than investing.

The People's National Congress/Reform Leader admitted he was also impressed with the excellent and exquisite workmanship of which Guyanese workers are capable.

Hoyte said, in his travels to many places, he had witnessed much grandeur but advised Burke that the services provided at La Familia would make the venture a success.

Recognising the edifice as "a majestic building", Green described it as a "magnificent piece of art" and said Burke is "a patriotic citizen" whose hard work and determination achieved his goal of providing a tourist attraction and services of an international standard to Guyanese.

"...the appreciation of a pleasing and beautiful sight play an important role in the cultural life, moral education and spiritual upliftment of a people," the Mayor remarked.

He said, in view of the noticeable drift towards accepting ugliness and lowering of standards, the kind of encouragement offered by La Familia is needed.

"In quite a few places, we see an almost total rejection of tidiness, beauty, art and the pursuit of excellence," Green said.

According to him, people with iconoclastic tendencies are being hailed as heroes.

He said television stations are stoned, people are abused for sticking to a code of conduct, Police stations are besieged, cops are murdered in the line of duty and killings are becoming more commonplace.

However, the new establishment is a demonstration of the kind of values people should wish to see prevail and nurtured, Green said.

He said, in sharp contrast to the "olden" days, beautiful buildings, sculpture and paintings have now become accepted as important to education, legitimate aids to piety and devotion and evidence of people's moral and spiritual regeneration.

"With all the ugliness around, we should feel more than justified to, once again, compliment (Junior) Burke for locating this imposing structure in the South of our city, the oft times neglected part of our capital," Green said.

Gouveia pleaded with the Mayor to answer Burke's request for the unoccupied land opposite La Familia to undertake future expansion and the development of a play area/ground for children.

Giving a background to the structure, Burke said he copied while travelling extensively to many countries. He said bits of Italian and Spanish designs are some used.

Burke announced that a board of directors would screen applicants for club membership who would be thoroughly investigated, in the pursuit of a high standard.

With 12 luxurious rooms and a huge swimming pool in its centre, La Familia will be open to the public on special days but a dress code will be in effect.

Burke disclosed that he returned to Guyana after years abroad and, after an assessment, decided to make a significant contribution to South Georgetown.

The project started with a challenge and often difficulties arose but Burke is proud of what has been achieved, he told the gathering.

He said he would like to maintain a good relationship with THAG because he has now presented a new tourist destination in which all Guyana can take pride.