Statement By Honourable Carvin Malone – Status Update On Community Centres Repairs And Upgrades

STATEMENT BY HONEST CARVIN MALONE
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
AT THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF MEETING OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

ON THURSDAY 29TH APRIL 2021
AT THE SAVE THE SEED
ROAD CITY, TORTOLA

STATUS UPDATE ON COMMUNITY CENTERS REPAIRS AND UPGRADES

Mr. Speaker, I will now provide the status update on nine community center repairs and upgrades across the territory.

We start with the first East End Long Look Community Center. The project was publicly tendered in the 4th quarter of 2020. Zane Potter Construction was the successful contractor whose contract signing is now scheduled for April 30, 2021 on the site of the center now being finalized; and the proposed start date is June 7, 2021. Work is expected to be completed within three to four months.

Repair work to be performed includes the installation of new windows and doors, repairs to the toilets and plumbing system, repairs to the electrical system, and other general repairs.

Then the Brewers Bay Community Center. The approved design for the new roof was submitted to the Ministry of Health and Social Development on April 23, 2021. The next step is to hire a certified quantities expert to create a priced quantity list for the repair work. Repair work includes building the new roof, replacing windows and doors, repairs to kitchen cabinets and other milling work, electrical repairs and plumbing / installation and painting of the building. The Deputy Permanent Secretary in charge of the community centers, along with the project architects, will continue to keep the district representative informed and facilitate a community meeting, as suggested during the incumbent Mr. Speaker.

The Cane Garden Bay Community Center. The Priced Quantity List for the repair work was submitted to the Ministry in the first quarter of 2021. 3DE Limited was engaged on April 20, 2021 to provide the as-built drawings to be used as part of the tender documents. The drawings must be ready by mid-May 2021, as soon as the drawings are ready, the works will be tendered. Mr. Speaker, way too long, but it’s coming.

Mr. Speaker now the North Sound Community Center. The repair work for this community center was completed in July 2020. The works were somewhat delayed due to the Territory wide lock down due to COVID-19. It is important to note that individuals affected by the storms of 2017 continue to occupy the community center. According to Social Development officials, attempts are being made to relocate the individuals so that the center can be used for its intended purpose.

The Valarie O. Thomas Community Center. The project to install new windows at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Center was completed in the first quarter of 2020. Upgrade works, indeed funded by the EU, started in January 2021. The upgrade includes repairs to the roof, plumbing work and electricity. installation, repairs to the kitchen cabinets and other milling works and the installation of hurricane shutters. The works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2021. During the handover ceremony, the District Representative will be present along with the four At-Large Representatives to hand over the keys to this center.

The West End community center. The West End Community Center also received EU-funded upgrades. Upgrades have been made to the electrical and plumbing systems, kitchen cabinets and hurricane shutters. A new concrete roof was built over the veranda and a new toilet was installed on the top floor. The works have recently been completed. Arrangements are made for a key handover ceremony. The first district representative will be notified of this handover date along with the representatives of the Territorial At-large.

The Purcell Community Center. This project is also funded by the EU. The works included repairs to the roof, kitchen cabinets and other milling works, installation of windows, doors and hurricane shutters, electrical and plumbing fixtures. According to Mr. Ronnie Lettsome, the project manager on behalf of the PAHO, the project will be put out to tender in the first week of May 2021.

Next Mr. Speaker de Anegada Community Center. This project is also funded by the EU. Mr. Lettsome is expected to provide an official update on the scope of works by the first week of May 2021. This project has recently been put out to tender and bids are due in the first week of May 2021. According to Mr Lettsome, works should begin during the first week of May 2021.The month of June 2021.

The Long Trench Community Center. This project is also funded by the EU. The coordinator, Mr Lettsome, has indicated that he will provide an official update on the scope of the works by the first week of May 2021. Tender documents are currently being prepared. Mr. Lettsome will also provide a final date for the start of the tender process.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, our community centers also serve as meeting and activity centers for our gold gem programs. As we work our way through the global COVID-19 pandemic, our seniors will soon be able to resume their weekly social gatherings

You will also be aware from Mister Speaker that centers are also used as hurricane shelters. And in this regard, I would like to thank the EU for funding and upgrading various facilities such as SMART centers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to keep this honorable House informed of the ongoing projects led by the Ministry of Health and Social Development. Thank you.