Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Apr 10, 2026

Demolition of ASPS building now approved by Cabinet

Demolition of ASPS building now approved by Cabinet

Following a decision to demolish the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS) building on Station Road and rebuild it, the plan has been approved by Cabinet.

This was revealed in the statements of the Cabinet Meetings of December 9, 2022, chaired by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, and held at the Premier's Conference Room, Cutlass Tower.

The school building was ordered closed by the Ministry of Education on June 17, 2022, due to safety concerns.

Since then, the more than 350 affected children have been placed at various schools across Tortola, with a plan to tear the building down according to Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer.

“Engineers have decided that the building is not safe, so we are going through the process,” he said at a press conference on October 28, 2022.

Additionally, Cabinet has decided that the Financial Secretary be assigned a Board of Condemnation for the demolition of the building and that a sum of $24,000 be approved to purchase three 40' containers to be used for storage of materials salvaged from the demolition of the building.


The school building was ordered closed by the Ministry of Education on June 17, 2022, due to safety concerns. Since then, the more than 350 affected children have been placed at various schools across Tortola with a plan to tear the building down according to Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer.

'Culture Centre' to also be demolished

Hon Rymer in October also revealed that with the demolition of the school, the abandoned Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall (Cultural Centre) will also be demolished at the same time.

Then Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the now Premier, had said in August 2019 that a recommendation was made for Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall to be torn down.

According to the Minister, he envisions a performing arts center, national library and museum to be constructed in the area once the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall is demolished.

The abandoned Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall (Cultural Centre) is also expected to be demolished.

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