Work is set to begin on a new headquarters for the Cayman Islands National Weather Service on Lyndhurst Avenue in George Town.
The government broke ground at the site of the purpose-built, solar-ready operations and research centre on Thursday, 19 Oct.
In a press release, Premier Wayne Panton said Cayman’s weather service is the most advanced meteorological agency out of all of the UK’s overseas territories in the Caribbean.
“As the team has grown so have the services they provide and their needs in terms of equipment and facilities,” Panton said.
“The new headquarters will ensure our dedicated weather service staff have the working conditions and equipment they need to continue to provide timely, accurate forecasts, advisories and warnings for the country.”
He said the new building will allow for 24-hour operations – essential for providing accurate meteorological observations that support safe air travel and during severe weather events.
It will also feature sustainability measures, including environmentally friendly building materials, energy and water efficient design elements.
And there will be opportunities to utilise renewable energy and rainwater harvesting, Panton, who is also Minister of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency, said.
More efficient
John Tibbetts, director general of the weather service, said having a facility that can enable 24-hour staffing and services is essential to enhancing service delivery in Cayman.
He added that it will “improve our efficiency, allow for better collection of data, and reduce response times for accurate weather forecasting”.
Senior staff will also be able to better perform in regional roles, the press release said.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan and Infrastructure Minister Johany Ebanks also attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
They were joined by representatives from the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency, the Cayman Islands Weather Service and the Public Works Department.
The site provides easy access to key emergency and aviation services, good conditions for air balloon releases, and space to house essential monitoring and observation equipment.
It also offers a clear view of the airport runway and the horizon from all four coordinates which is important so we can provide the Cayman Islands Airports Authority with accurate meteorological observations that support safe air travel,” Tibbetts explained.
The weather services’ first Automatic Weather Observation Station is already at the site.
It records and transmits data – including wind direction, wind speed, temperature, humidity, air quality and rainfall – in real-time to the weather service team.
The contract to build the new headquarters was signed in September last year with Build Cayman, the successful contractor.
The Public Works Department is managing the construction project, which is expected to be completed in 2024.
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No mention of radar for air traffic control, will they still have to look out the window?.Also will the weather radar system be replaced as it has been notoriously unreliable and out of action for months at a time awaiting spare parts.
Will the weather radar work?
The weather service should be investing to make the radar operational all the time, or buy a new and more reliable one!!