The refurbished Vanterpool Building on Virgin Gorda was rededicated and hand over to the community today, February 17, 2022. Photo: Facebook

The cutting of the ribbon for the newly refurbished Vanterpool Building on Virgin Gorda today, February 17, 2022. Photo: Facebook

Speaking at the rededication and handing ceremony this afternoon, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the project is yet another testament to the Government’s drive to ensure that Virgin Islanders across every island are treated equally. Photo: GIS/Facebook

It was yet another refurbished administration building being rededicated to the community under this Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government. 

Back in October 2020, Metro Construction Ltd was awarded the contract to repair the Vanterpool Administration Building to the tune of $1,410,670.79.

The financing came from the Government of the Virgin Islands via the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loan and the project was implemented by the Recovery And Development Agency RDA on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities and the Deputy Governor’s Office

Every island treated equally - Hon Fahie 

Speaking at the rededication and handing over ceremony today, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the project is yet another testament to the Government’s drive to ensure that Virgin Islanders across every island are treated equally.

"In spite of going through the worst pandemic that continues to plague us in the world in the last 100 years, your government has ensured that projects that impact the need of the people, lift their quality of life and drive economic opportunities have been done on all our islands even with limited resources,” he said.

Premier Fahie noted that some five major administration buildings were repaired under his Government. They are the Theodore Faulkner Building in Anegada, the Albert H. Chinnery Building in Jost van Dyke and the Flax Building, John George Sr Building and now the Vanterpool Building on Virgin Gorda.

He said the refurbishing of the buildings will mean persons on the Sister Islands will not have to travel all the way to Tortola to do business with the government.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr Maurys Alfonso Risco- representing Trojan Design and Development Ltd who worked along with contractor Metro Construction- said his company carried out non-structural design works including new roof, fixtures, fitting, plumbing and a mechanical system.

Building features upgraded 

The company in a statement said, "The working relationship with the contractor, Metro Construction, has been excellent and there was a clear understanding and appreciation for the design elements and the technical specifications that were needed to make the building more resilient.”

“I must confess that the most interesting part of the assignment was interacting with the users of the building, the team from the Sister Islands Programme, and the residents who took a very keen interest in what was happening during the construction phase. There were many teachable moments and we have come to love this Virgin Gorda community very much,” he added.