OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Repairs have been made to the St Ann’s Bay Market just in time for the festive season, as promised, according to chief engineering officer at the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC) Glenford Ricketts.

“I’m happy to announce that the bathroom facility is now completed so the vendors can use it. As it relates to the $15 million that was announced by the minister, we have started clean-up of the market compound,” Ricketts told Thursday’s monthly meeting of the SAMC.

He was referring to a commitment made in September by Local Government Minster Desmond McKenzie during a tour of the market. The minister had expressed disappointment at conditions and announced that funds would be allocated for renovations to be done, with special focus on sidewalks, painting and the bathrooms.

Ricketts said with the bathrooms now spruced up, preparations are to be made for the additional work to be done.

Christmas is expected to be a busy time for the market and the renovations are expected to be well received by vendors and shoppers. Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis is also pleased at the work being done.

“I’m very happy the minister saw the need to do repairs to two bathroom facilities in St Ann’s Bay and Ocho Rios and I know some work was done in Brown’s Town also,” he said in response to Ricketts’ update on Thursday.