Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Three more Smart Community Centres handed over to VI

Three more Smart Community Centres handed over to VI

Marking a significant breakthrough in recovery efforts following the 2017 hurricanes, the Government of the Virgin Islands is now the recipient of three state-of-the-art Smart Community Centres.

The multi-purpose facilities, which contain SMART features that promote energy efficiency, were officially handed over on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, by multilateral organisations which have worked collectively to facilitate their implementation.

The facilities include the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, the Gertude and Christina Warner community in Purcell Estate, and the Emile E. Dunlop community centre in Anegada.

The European Union (EU) has played an integral role through the provision of funding for the community centres, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), which engaged in technical oversight to ensure that they are in alignment with global SMART standards.

EU allocated €2M

€2 million was allocated by the EU for repairs and restoration, while PAHO was tasked with technical facilitation responsibilities for the project’s execution.

According to the Department of Information, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), in expressing gratitude to these organisations, said the centres are in alignment with Government’s commitment to responsible development and environmental conservation.

He said the community centres can also be utilised as emergency shelters during natural disasters, as well as for the hosting of cultural and social activities which benefit members of the various communities.

Premier Wheatley, added that the Government has forged a strong continuous relationship with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) based on cooperation and mutual interests.

“Through facilitation provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in partnership with the Premier’s Office, we were not only able to access assistance in managing the COVID 19 pandemic, but post-hurricane relief that has allowed for the rebuilding of our community centres”, he said.
The refurbished Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay was handed over to the community on February 27, 2023.



More prospects for partnerships

The Premier also reportedly stated that Government is participating in strategic discussions to advance future opportunities in the areas of socio-economic development.

“We have great prospects for partnerships in the future as it pertains to accessing funds through regional and international programmes supported by the United Nations (UN) framework. Similarly, the European Union (EU) has been a significant source of funding for the Virgin Islands which is part of an overarching strategy to aid us in reaching our sustainable development goals,” the Premier added

In November 2021, the West End Community Centre was the first to be handed over in the series of projects.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
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
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
×