The architectural design for the Guyana Karate College’s (GKC) G$100M Dojo- building to be erected at Liliendaal was unveiled at the GKC’s 40th anniversary fund-raising dinner on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club.
According to GKC founder, Frank Woon-A-Tai, the model of the college was inspired by Japanese architectural heritage.
He added that the facility would be divided into four sections, for four main training areas and include an administrative office and dormitory for students.
“The good thing about the design is that it has the college divided into four wings as was suggested by John Fernandes and this will enable us to construct the venue in stages,” Woon-A-Tai said.
“It will require a lot of effort for us to raise the funds to complete the entire facility but what we would like to do is to get started with the first section and that will cost us just about G$30M,” he added.
The 8th Dan Shotokan black belt also said that it was planned to generate funding for the erecting of the facility from local as well as overseas sources and that construction would begin as soon as they have amassed enough money to begin work.
According to Woon-A-Tai, the plans were designed after they were granted a plot of land for the college, which would be situated in close proximity to Guyana Amateur Swimming Association’s facility for Guyana’s first Olympic-size swimming pool.
Woon-A-Tai said that some of its intended sources of soliciting funds include the Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA) and the Japanese Consulate through Hans Barrow, Guyana’s Consul to Japan who pledged his support at Thursday evening’s proceedings.
The plans for the facility also projected a Japanese garden and fish pond in its roofless centre and sliding doors to enclose all training areas so that training sessions can be visible from nearly any part of the facility.
The college which is already in operation , offers a variety of course in martial arts and welcome new members. Apart from the regular coloured belt courses, the college offers first to seventh Dan black belt courses as well as courses in Self defence. Winning strategies, CPR and first aid, conflict resolution, nutrition and health as well as international instructors, examiners and judge courses are also on the college’s curriculum.
Thursday evening’s dinner was also used as a fund-raising opportunity and 40th anniversary commemoratives were also on sale. All proceeds of the event will be used for the development of GKC’s Liliendaal facility.
