Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Finally! Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre getting extensive repairs

Finally! Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre getting extensive repairs

The Sea Cows Bay-based Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre that was damaged during the 2017 hurricanes will finally receive extensive repairs.

A media release issued on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, indicates that a local company, Tarris Hill Construction Ltd, was selected for the job that is scheduled to be completed by June this year.

In explaining the award of the contract, the media release said, Tarris Hill Construction Ltd was able to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and expertise to carry out the works that will be needed to meet the regional Smart standards inclusive of Basic Infection Control, and Hygiene and Space Management requirements as established by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

“I am pleased to see that our very own local contractors are given the opportunity to compete for the works associated with this very important project. As we continue these works, I encourage local contractors and building professional to pay close attention to this project so that they can benefit from the capacity building opportunities that are being made available to learn more about resilient structures,” Premier and Minister for Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) stated while extending his gratitude to the European Union for funding the project that would be implemented by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).


Tarris Hill Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract to rehabilitate the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay.

More about the project


Speaking to the scope of works, PAHO and the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Dr Yitades Gebre, informed that the works include strengthening of the roofs, upgrade to the windows and doors; flooding, energy-efficient light and water fixtures.

There will also be improvements in functionality and ensuring that they are in full compliance with international shelter standards and the Smart standards being promoted by PAHO.

“This Emergency Shelter will also be outfitted with new appliances and VHF radio communications, which are essential items for the operations of these facilities during crisis or emergencies. We have been impressed with the interest shown by the local contractors and the quality of the bids received, and we expect to see the completion of the works by June 2021,” Dr Gebre added.

Notably, the design works for this project was undertaken by PAHO’s technical experts in conjunction with local experts, and it represents the second facility to be funded by the EU and implemented by PAHO.

The West End Community Centre was the first project since the €2 million resilience project was launched in April 2019.

The project includes the rehabilitation of selected emergency shelters, the provision of emergency relief supplies for these facilities, training for the public and private sector in resilient, safe and green (Smart) building strategies and standards, and training in shelter management inclusive of psychosocial care, the media release said.

In the meantime, the Long Trench Community Centre, the Emile E. Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada and the Christiana and Gertrude Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate, as well as five other Emergency Shelters on Virgin Gorda and Tortola will be outfitted with appliances and communications devices are in line for repairs this year, the release further added.


Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie  has extended gratitude to the European Union for funding the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre rehabilitation project that would be implemented by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).


The Sea Cows Bay-based Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre that was damaged during the 2017 hurricanes will finally receive extensive repairs.


The West End Community Centre was the first project since the €2 million resilience project was launched in April 2019.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×