Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Apr 12, 2026

Persons still living in emergency shelter now nearly 4 years later

Persons still living in emergency shelter now nearly 4 years later

Some persons who were displaced by hurricanes Irma and Maria back in September 2017 are still living in an emergency shelter, now nearly four years since the disasters happened.

That shelter is the North Sound Community Centre on Virgin Gorda.

Health & Social Development Minister Carvin Malone gave that indication while giving an update on the upgrades and repairs to be undergone at community centres across the territory.

“According to officials at the Social Development Department, efforts are being made to relocate the individuals so that the centre could be utilised for the purpose intended,” the minister stated in the House of Assembly last week.

Repair works for this community centre was completed in July of last year. Malone said the works were slightly delayed because of the territory-wide lockdown due to COVID-19.

The other repairs


The minister also gave updates on eight other facilities. He said Zane Potter Construction has been contracted to work on the East End Long Look Community Centre. The proposed start date for that project is June 7, 2021 and works are expected to be completed within three to four months.

Designs — submitted last month — have been approved for the new roof of the Brewers Bay Community Centre. The next step is to hire a certified quantity surveyor to produce a priced bill of quantities for the repair works.

Malone said the priced bill of quantities for the repair works to the Cane Garden Bay Community Centre have been submitted and 3DE Limited was engaged last month to provide the drawings for repairs. Drawings should be completed by the middle of May 2021.

Upgrade works to the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre includes repairs to the roof, plumbing and electrical installation, repairs to the kitchen cabinets and other millworks and the installation of hurricane shutters. Works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2021.

Works completed at West End


Works on the West End Community Centre have been completed and arrangements are being made for a ceremony for the handing over of the keys.

As for the Purcell Community Centre, Malone said the project will be publicly tendered by the first week of May 2021.

Next is the Anegada Community Centre. This project was recently tendered and bids are due by the first week of May 2021 and works should start during June 2021.

“The Long Trench Community Centre. This project is also being funded by the EU. The coordinator Mr [Ronnie] Lettsome has indicated that he will provide an official update on the scope of works by the 1st week of May 2021. Tender documents are currently being prepared. Mr Lettsome will also provide a definitive date for the start of the tendering process,” Malone stated.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
Former UK Defence Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ability to Counter Iran Missile Threat
UK Signals Non-Involvement in Iran Conflict as Trump Reasserts Firm Deterrence Stance
×