Work begins on Little Cayman Airport

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Engineering work began on the new Little Cayman Airport last week following the contract being awarded to Cayman Engineering + Surveying (CE+S).

CE+S will produce the final design for the airport, which will include completing a detailed survey of the airport site, producing construction documents, and providing construction administration services for Phase I of the project. 

Once this phase is complete, the Civil Aviation Authority plans to tender for construction services and envisions that actual construction will commence this September.

The new Little Cayman Airport will be on Crown property near the western central part of the island, about 1.5 miles northeast of the present Edward Bodden Airfield. 

This will mean that all aviation services will move to the new site away from the currently used site near the very populated Blossom Village on the south side of the island. 

Civil Engineer and owner of CE+S, Carl McCoy, has a long-standing history and familiarity with Little Cayman having grown up and worked in his family business over the past 20 years as well as being involved in construction on the Island. 

Mr McCoy's experience includes design and project management of the Gerrard-Smith International Airport (GSIA) Runway, Taxiway and Apron Rehabilitation Project in 2001, design and project management on the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) Commercial Apron Rehabilitation Project in 2002 and the Little Cayman Master Plan development. 

In addition, Mr McCoy was initially involved in work at the ORIA Runway, Taxiway and Apron Rehabilitation in 1992/93 as a Resident Engineer. 

Mr McCoy said: "I am honoured that my company has been awarded the contract for engineering services for the Little Cayman airport. 

"As a private pilot myself, and having family ties to the island, I am fully aware of the importance of the provision of fully-functional and safe aviation services and the impact that it can have on the economy of Little Cayman as the island relies primarily on tourism."

CE+S has teamed with Carter-Burgess, Inc of Phoenix, for it to provide assistance with some of the specialised engineering tasks associated with the development of the new airport.

Director of Civil Aviation, Richard Smith said: "I am very pleased that we have finally made this leap towards the construction of the Little Cayman Airport." 

He added: "The Edward Bodden Airfield has served the air transport needs for Little Cayman well but a safer and more updated facility is required. 

"The CAA is responsible for the provision of safe and reliable aviation infrastructure and this new airport will ensure that we meet all local and international aviation standards". 

Project Manager, Brian Tomlinson of the CAACI, will be overseeing the project. 

"I am pleased with the award of the contract to CE+S as they are one of the few Caymanian firms with substantial airport engineering experience. I look forward to working with Mr McCoy and the CE+S team on this new project," he said.

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