Celebration of the Gerrard-SmithAirport Renovation
A short but important ceremony was heldat Cayman Brac's Gerrard-Smith International Airport on Saturday,2 June to celebrate the completion of renovations there.
Master of Ceremonies Mr. Harding Watler,Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Environment andTransport, welcomed those gathered. These included Speaker ofthe House, Captain Mabry and Mrs. Kirkconnell; Minister for Tourism,Environment and Transport, the Honourable McKeeva and Mrs. Bush;Chief Secretary, the Honourable James Ryan; second elected memberfor Cayman Brac, Mr. Lindon Martin and Deputy Director of CivilAviation, Mr. David Frederick. He noted with humour that finally,after many extensions and upgrades, the 'dog-leg' bend on therunway had now been fixed.
Rev. Lee King blessed the proceedings andadded a few words of thanks to all those who benefited the Bracby making the work possible.
Mr. Bush explained that the renovationsincluded the resurfacing of the runway itself, the apron and threeaircraft parking stands, as well as the installation of new runwaylights and a drainage system on the west end of the runway whichhad sometimes had problems with flooding during rainy seasons.
Mr. Bush added that he always has Brac'sbest interests at heart and that he has a vision for its development."I recognise the great potential there is in Cayman Bracand I know that Brackers don't want what Grand Cayman has. Althoughthe Brac is technically a district, it is different and distinctand, as such, you need money to run it as you would a country.
My vision includes the expansion of hotelrooms on the island, a golf course and a world-class spa. It meansmore traffic, but can you do without it?" He noted that reliableair transport is imperative if the Brac is to continue to moveforward and that the newly completed renovations are a step inthe right direction.
The Chief Secretary, himself a native Bracker,reminisced about the first time a plane landed in Cayman Bracin February 1955. "I was a student at West End Primary atthe time. School was closed for the rest of the day so that wecould all come down and watch that historic event," he said.
The airport was named after CommissionersSmith and Gerrard, the former who had the vision for an airportin the Brac and the latter who made it happen. Since that time,former District Commissioner, A.S. Rutty and others have continuedthe work on the airport, lengthening and updating the facilitiesperiodically.
Mr. Ryan thanked all those who had madethe latest improvements possible and paid special thanks to MinisterBush for his support of projects involving the Sister Islands.
Mr. Martin, who explained that he had firsthand experience since he had made four flights to Cayman Bracin the previous seven days, praised the quality of the work. Hereiterated Mr. Ryan's praise of Mr. Bush for his attention toBrac matters and he encouraged all present to support his agendaof balance for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Project manager from Lagan JV, Colin Murphy,reported on the timing of the project and added his thanks tothe people, businesses and departments that had roles in gettingthe work finished on schedule and under budget.
He also presented Irish crystal and largeframed pictures of work in progress on the runway to MinisterBush and Mr. Frederick in recognition of Government's and theCivil Aviation Authority's efforts.
Mr. Bush in turn presented six plaques inappreciation of outstanding contribution to the Gerrard-SmithInternational runway renovation project.
Refreshments were provided, courtesy ofthe Civil Aviation Authority, while Island Paving Lagan JV hostedlunch for the Grand Cayman contingent at the Brac Reef Beach Resort.