B.V.I. Tuesday, February 17 – Government signed a $1.4M contract with Mr. Greg Hodge of G-Unit Construction Ltd for the construction of the Purcell Estate Community Centre at a recent ground-breaking ceremony.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE said the centre will serve as an avenue for the Purcell Estate community to come together to discuss their needs and formulate plans for future development.
Speaking at Friday’s ceremony, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and 6th District Representative Hon. Omar W. Hodge expressed satisfaction that the project is finally at this stage. He said it has been a 10-year struggle and his heart is filled with joy for the people of Purcell Estate.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development (M/H&SD) which has responsibility for the operation of community centres in the Territory, played an integral role before the project was transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the M/H&SD Mrs. Petrona Davies, speaking on behalf of that ministry’s minister Hon. Dancia Penn, OBE, QC, conveyed her well-wishes.
“We at the Ministry of Health will therefore ensure that the services and amenities offered will be comparable to those offered throughout the Territory. I’m very confident that the completion of this centre in a few months time will play an instrumental role in helping the government of the day achieve its ambitious social development agenda for this Territory to which we are all very committed,” Mrs. Davies said.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and Chairperson Mrs. Janice Rymer referred to the community centre as a building where the residents of Purcell Estate can interact on a social level and hold events such as meetings, after-school, adult-school and summer programmes, concerts, talent shows and weddings.
Mr. Mervin Charles, a community resident, spoke of the many sacrifices made to make Friday’s ceremony a reality and admonished the residents to value the community centre once it is completed.
“You cannot reach compromise unless you are prepared to sacrifice something. To the young people of Purcell, when this facility is built, let us nurture it and keep it in a way that our kids and their kids can use it because what we destroy today, they will have to build back.”
Also present at Friday’s ceremony were the Governor David Pearey, Territorial Representative Hon. Irene Penn-O’Neal, 5th District Representative Hon. Elvis Harrigan, 7th District Representative Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering, other government officials and community residents.
The Purcell Estate Community Centre was designed by Edwin Adams Architects with supervisory works to be conducted by W & W Project Management Services. Government estimates the total cost of the project to be $1.65 million.
Once completed the community centre will be the 11th in the Territory. The other 10 community centres are located in Sea Cow’s Bay, West End, Carrot Bay, Brewer’s Bay, East End/Long Look, Long Trench/Fahie Hill, Belle Vue, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and a newly built facility at Cane Garden Bay.
British Virgin Islands News