A new community education centre for the East End opened yesterday with a plea for everyone to take advantage of the classes and activities on offer.

The centre, a refurbished cottage at Southside, will act as a hub for all community activities in St. George's and St. David's.

People can register for evening classes at Clearwater Middle School and for the kids' summer holiday programmes run by the Community Affairs and Sports Department.

Opening the centre yesterday, Community Affairs and Sports Minister Randy Horton said: "Schools are not just for kids in school, but for the whole community.

"When I think back to those days when this was being started (in the early 1980's), there was a challenge to convince teachers and the community that this was a worthwhile programme and that schools should be open to all people, to anyone in the community.

"(This programme) discards the notion that education is just for children. People of all ages can meet to learn, to have fun, and to receive the services.

"I would encourage everyone to continue to embrace the schools as places to continue to learn, to have fun, and to have community activities."

The seven room centre at St. David's Road and Westcott Road, rented from Bermuda Land Development Corporation, is the latest home for the community centre after staff have been moved from various different sites in recent years.

Patricia Chapman, the executive director of Community Education, said: "It is a relocation and we are really happy with this new home and we hope this is it, we are here to stay."St. George's South MPs Arthur Pitcher and Rev. Wilbur Lowe were among the guests who turned up for the opening.