Friday, June 23, 2006

The roof is now going on the new Day Care Centre on
the Bluff

Several projects on the Bluff will eventually add hurricane shelter space on Cayman Brac, but none are ready for the start of this hurricane season.

According to Deputy District Commissioner Ernie Scott, the Day Care Centre next to the Aston Rutty Civic Centre (ARCC) will hopefully be finished in September, and the canopy at the entrance to the civic centre should be ready this weekend.

Quality Construction was awarded the contracts for both these projects. Mr Scott was confident the canopy would be completed in time for the Cayman Brac High School Graduation Ceremony on 24 June.

This addition, for pick-up and drop-off at the centre to protect people from the elements, both rain and sun, was made with both general and hurricane shelter use in mind, he said.
The concrete addition has been designed to fit in aesthetically with the main building, and is being built to Category 5 standard, noted Mr Scott.

It was decided that this was necessary since the centre is used for large public functions, including weddings and funerals, and there is sometimes a long line of people waiting to get in.

It would also help in the event of a hurricane, to prevent driving rain entering the building.

The new Day Care Centre next door is being built to Category 5 standards, said Mr Scott.

The 48-foot by 82-foot building, which includes a small porch and drop off area, will replace the old wooden facility behind the District Administration Building at Stake Bay currently being used for the Government operated nursery and pre-school.

It will have an infant room, two classrooms, a diaper changing area, a kitchen, dining area, staffroom, sick bay and an office. The new Day Care is located on the same parcel of land as the ARCC, and has a large playground area.

The belting has been poured and the roof is now being put on, Mr Scott told Cayman Net News earlier this week.

However, he doubted the Medical Emergency Centre will be ready for this hurricane season.

This will be an addition to the ARCC, intended for Faith Hospital patients and the sick and elderly in need of special care.

In the event of a storm, they are currently cared for in a screened off area on the stage of the civic centre, a situation that is generally deemed unsatisfactory.

Plans for the Medical Centre call for a 2,700 square-foot building, attached to the ARCC by a covered walkway. There is a covered entrance, and a secure area at the back for the ambulance in the event of a severe storm.

Inside, the building includes a special needs room, a kitchenette, showers and toilets to accommodate wheelchairs, and an oxygen cylinder tank room. There is also an office, and a nurses' station, with shower and toilet facilities for staff.

Mr Scott said that the contract has not yet been awarded for the Medical Centre, but there are three bids being considered and he is optimistic that this will be accomplished in June to get the project up and running.

"There have been some issues regarding the tendering process. We are waiting for a reply from the Central Tenders Committee," said Mr Scott.

Mr Scott noted that this was a smaller project than the Day Care Centre and the construction time should be significantly shorter.

nicky@caymannetnews.com

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