The massive hurricane resistant 2-storey structure was built through a $2M donation from Mr Haycraft, the founder and former majority owner of Road Town Wholesale Ltd. The previous structure for the school was demolished after suffering major damages in the hurricanes of 2017.

Mr Haycraft was one of the first businesspersons in the VI to come forward to assist in a significant way following the devastation of the VI by hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The VI Belonger, who came to the Virgin Islands from West Sussex, England, in 1960 to work as a boat captain and subsequently ventured into small business, had initially pledged $1M towards the rebuilding of the school, but in keeping with his word that “financing is guaranteed, right through to the last brick, no matter what it costs,” injected another $1M to see the steel-framed, hurricane resistant 2-storey building to completion.

He had previously disclosed that he chose to help rebuild the Enis Adams Primary School because his wife, many years ago read to the students there and she loved the view from the classroom in which she was reading from.

‘Now is the time’ to give back

And according to Premier Fahie, the territory has been good to a lot of business people and the business people have to be good to the Virgin Islands, especially in a time of need.

“And I am challenging all those who are here, all those who have more money than we can ever dream about counting, come to the table and do what you have to do for the Virgin Islands, because the Virgin Islands has been good to you.”

He said such business persons have to now return that favour and be good to the Virgin Islands.

“We shouldn’t have to beg, we shouldn’t have to ask. It should come naturally, like what Mr Haycraft has done and a few others have done.”

The Premier continued that since taking the seat of premier he has been “knocking on some of their doors” and saying “now is the time and this is the place, the VIP Government has a plan and you must understand that you have to play your part.”

Mr Peter Haycraft (above) was one of the first businesspersons in the Virgin Islands to come forward to assist in a significant way following the devastation of the territory by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.