Thunderous applause erupted in St Anne’s auditorium Friday as students and teachers heard the surprise announcement: After years of fund-raising the school would have a swimming pool.
Howard “Butch” Kerzner, Kerzner International’s Chief Executive Officer, visited the school on Friday and announced that Kerzner will donate a quarter of a million dollars – $250,000 – to construct a new state of the art pool at the school that sits atop Fox Hill.
The gift was the result of a casual comment made to Mr Kerzner by St Anne’s Principal, Cynthia Wells, when he visited the school two days earlier.
During that visit Mrs Wells told him that even though the school had no pool, their swim team came second in a recent competition between all of the Anglican Schools.
“When I was among you all a few days ago talking about all sorts of things my heart was really touched,” Mr Kerzner told the school assembly on Friday. “Barrie Farrington and I got talking and so today I am here to announce that my dad (Sol Kerzner) and I are to donate one quarter of a million dollars to create a swimming pool.”
Mr Kerzner was unable to finish his sentence. Jubilant students and teachers rose to their feet in thunderous applause.
Mr Kerzner said the company hopes to start the project immediately. “Whatever it takes, if it takes a little bit more, we will make sure that the pool gets done,” said Mr Kerzner as he urged students to start taking out their swim trunks.
This latest donation is in keeping with Kerzner’s commitment to assist in the development of the Bahamas. It also a major step forward for the school that has for a number of years been holding fund raising events to accumulate enough money to build a pool.
Kerzner International has been a major supporter of St Anne’s. Last year the company made a special donation to the school’s library.
Mr Kernzer said that since moving to the Bahamas in 1996, he and his family have been welcomed and accepted by the Bahamian people.
“I left my home country, South Africa, about 25 years ago,” said Mr Kerzner. “For many years I lived in various places. It was not until I came to The Bahamas around 10 years ago that I truly could say to myself: ‘I have found a new home.’
“My wife, two kids and I love this country. What we have going in this country is just astounding. I believe that in 10, 20 or 30 years, we, together with everybody, are going to build some amazing things in the Bahamas. The story is just getting started.”
The Tribune
