Situated a stone's throw from the Mandela Avenue highway which leads to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri the La Familia Country Club is located in the southern part of the city.
It is equipped with twelve luxury suites and dining is complemented by a majestic poolside view and bar. The immaculate concrete structure, finished with wood and tiles has an air of elegance about it.
Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte (at podium), shares a joke with the audience which included President Bharrat Jagdeo (seated third from left) and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds during his address at the opening of the La Familia Country Club on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens on Friday evening. Others on the dais in this Lawrence Fanfair photo are from left, City Mayor, Hamilton Green, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Captain Gerry Gouveia, President Jagdeo, Executive Director of La Familia, Herbert Burke, and Chairman of the proceedings, Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Executive Director, Herbert Burke emphatically emphasized that the establishment is open to all members of the public once they are willing to maintain high standards of dress.
The Hotel's restaurant, Burke stated, is open daily except Friday evenings and Sundays for lunch and dinner. Friday nights from 20:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs along with Sunday afternoons from 14:00 hrs to midnight are reserved for club members who will enjoy club nite on Friday and a jazz session on Sundays. A specialty of the restaurant, according to Burke, will be its cocktails.
An exterior of the hotel
Apart from these facilities, La Familia is also equipped to entertain up to 120 persons in a private dining arrangement with this figure rising to some 200 in the case of a wedding party.
The hotel's courtyard can also comfortably accommodate some 300 persons. Future development will include a state of the art gymnasium and a 300-seat conference facility.
Burke, the son of a former senior police officer, grew up in the south Georgetown ward of East La Penitence along with his three other siblings.
He departed Guyana at age 12 and since then has accumulated wide experience in the banking sector having worked at three commercial banks in the United States namely, Citibank, Bank Leumi Trust Company, a Jewish commercial bank and Manufacturers Hanover Trust where he served as an assistant banking manager.
He was encouraged to return home by former Presidents Desmond Hoyte and the late Cheddi Jagan and took up the challenge two years ago on June 15, 1998 when he commenced construction of his enterprise. He declined to disclose the size of the investment which clearly runs into tens of millions of dollars.
Among his future plans, which include the beautification of the hotel's immediate surroundings with a flower garden, he also proposes to put in two tennis courts and a basketball court with floodlights to accommodate persons who need to use the facilities in the evenings. He has however been experiencing difficulty with obtaining land for the latter project.
Poolside dining, one of the features offered at the La Familia Country Club. (Lawrence Fanfair photo)
President Jagdeo at the opening of the facility on Friday evening last, challenged City Mayor, Hamilton Green to utilise a substantial portion of the $470 million in planned subventions from central government to initiate special projects for youths in the south Georgetown ward.
"I will commit more and more funds if you do so", remarked Jagdeo while reiterating the need for social facilities in the South Ruimveldt community.
The promotion of tourism, stated the president, should not be a function of the government alone, but the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), needed to do more to help develop a support system for those in the sector. "Step out of the small group in which you enclose yourself", Jagdeo advised.
He hailed the courage exhibited by the hotel's Executive Director, Burke, which he viewed as ten times greater especially in the current economic climate.
"I am sure he is going to succeed", Jagdeo declared adding that Burke has displayed a character trait identifiable with numerous overseas based Guyanese whom he said, have a deep love for their country. The president made a promise to be of assistance to the investor.
Government, he reiterated is prepared to give concessions to secure growth in the sector, but persons in the sector have to adopt an expansive attitude and welcome others to the industry.
Earlier, Mayor Green in remarks stated that the building was not merely a hotel and restaurant, but a magnificent work of art which is pleasing and certainly improved the appearance of that section of the city.
It was his belief that the south Georgetown facility due to its siting should entitle the owners to some special consideration from the government, the council, financial institutions and the community.
Green further emphasized that he expected City Hall to do what was necessary to secure the integrity of the physical environment, recognising its responsibility to play an active role in encouraging the hotel and tourism industry.
President of THAG, Gerry Gouveia in welcoming the new establishment praised the courage of what he called a "home grown and good" businessman.
Gouveia used the opportunity to plead with the city council to clean up the land north of the hotel or entertain the possibility of the hotel owners taking possession of the area and developing it.
Opposition Leader, Hoyte, praised the Guyanese craftsmen who played a part in constructing the building which he described as exquisite.
While congratulating Burke on the launching of his venture, Hoyte stated that the success of the venture depended on the level of service which it provides. He expressed the hope that the standards would be kept to a level to encourage growth.
Earlier in the programme Burke in welcoming remarks praised his family for the support given to the success of the venture.
"This is not just a quick buck but a long term investment in the future of Guyana", he stated while stressing that the establishment would hold its own in the tourism industry and strive to maintain high standards.
Director, Keisha Elliot in her vote of thanks, expressed gratitude for the support of Citizens Bank and Demerara Bank Limited, along with their staff including those associated with the building's construction.