Come Christmas, the process of transforming the southern end of Water Street will begin in earnest with the opening of the US$6 million Avinash Entertainment Complex. By then, 70 per cent of its 45 stalls would have been occupied by various vendors offering an assortment of goods and services to the public.
Guyanese businessman Harry Panday, who owns and operates the well-known Kent Garment Factory, is one of the primary investors in the establishment that is significant in more ways than one. Apart from the fact that it symbolizes more than a modest measure of faith in the Guyana economy, the new entertainment complex is by far the single largest investment in the same neck of the woods that accommodates the well-known Tiger Bay neighbourhood.
The new entertainment facility is under construction on the same Water Street premises that houses the popular Avinash Complex, another of the establishments owned by the Panday family. Roughly equal investments of US$3 million are being made in the two phases of the project. The first phase comprises three indoor 3D cinemas, a drive through cinema, a roof garden, a bowling alley, a food court and a children’s play area. The second phase of the project will see the construction of a boardwalk extending out onto the Demerara River.
Harry Panday says the idea of an entertainment complex arose out of a recognition that the city suffers from a dearth of “clean, wholesome family-oriented entertainment. Most families choose to remain at home and seek other forms of entertainment including home movies. Hopefully, the complex will help to change that,” Panday says.
He says he is keen to see the public’s response to the launch of the movie theatre, drive through cinema, stores and food court which will coincide with Christmas. After that, the next objective will be to have the Roof Garden, Bowling Alley and Disco completed in time for next year’s Republic anniversary celebrations.
The third floor of the Complex sits above the level of the Demerara River. It is here that both the Roof Gaarden and the Bowling Alley will be located. Most of the stores and the discotheque will be housed on the second floor. The ground floor will house additional stores and the indoor theatres which will house 560 patrons. Panday says all of the theatres will have advanced surround systems and plush accommodation.
The 45 stores within the complex will be occupied by craft, electrical, boutiques, hardware, shoe repair, snackettes, pet shops, clothing, food and curtains stores. Panday hopes the complex will eventually become a facility close to a ‘one stop shop’ where patrons can acquire “just about anything.” The Food Court will provide services ranging from snackettes to facilities for fine dining.
The drive-in cinema will serve several purposes, accommodating up to 100 vehicles for the shows as well as doubling up as a conventional car park for shoppers. The facility is also designed to accommodate live entertainment. Panday says he has already been engaging local artistes about performing at the venue. He hopes, too, that the complex will become a home for local art and craft. Part of his plan is to commission artists to produce pieces for display inside the complex.
The children’s play area will be outfitted with the most modern equipment and will also boast a huge outdoor aquarium. Safety, Panday says, will be high on the facility’s list of priorities.
