New Administrative Building and Recreational facility to enhance Grand Bay

As part of the thrust to develop Canouan, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has commissioned the construction of an administrative building in Grand Bay (opposite the National Commercial Bank) and a recreational facility at Friendship.{{more}}

Elena Korach, General Manager of the Caribbean Construction Association (CCA), which has been contracted by the Government for the mass development of the Grenadine island, explained that the building will house public officers, a Court House and government facilities such as a Tourism Bureau, and Immigration, Customs/Revenue and Port Authority offices. There will also be residential partments on the second floor.

Korach also divulged that the building is estimated to cost EC$5.6 million, and is set to be finished on June 1, 2010.

Director of Grenadines Affairs Edwin Snagg boasted that the construction of this building is truly a local affair with no external funding. Describing it as a thing of convenience, Snagg declared: “it’s a one stop shop of administration… this is development!” He also deemed the project as a lift for the entire Grenadines, given their close proximity to each other. He also shared his delight in having this level of development occurring in Canouan under his watch.

Locals will also benefit from a recreational facility at the beach front in Friendship. CCA Project Manager Enrico deFreitas stated that construction, which began in March 2009 and is scheduled to end in December 2009, will cost approximately EC$600,000.

DeFreitas explained that the facility will be able to host a number of sporting activities, including tennis, basketball, football, and a track for jogging and running. There will also be a seating arena, restaurant and bar. He also highlighted the site’s easy access to the beach. “This could facilitate water sports,” he pointed out. De Freitas made mention of adequate drainage being installed to cope with flooding that the area is prone to during the rainy season.

Snagg affirmed that this much-needed facility will serve a variety of purposes for locals. “The level of spending is phenomenal!”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Godfred Pompey, a Canouan native, pointed out that the current development in Canouan has far surpassed any economic activity currently taking place on the mainland. He noted that the Government has recently handed over signed contracts for three major developments, which include the administrative building, the recreational facility and the refurbishment of the ferry terminal at Grand Bay. “We’re excited by this development!” (JSV)