Work begins on housing for Brac school builders

Construction has commenced on a 38-suite accommodation block on Cayman Brac which will initially be used to house workers building a $50 million high school.

The Ministry of District Administration and Lands, in a press release issued Friday, announced the start of construction of the Cayman Brac accommodation block, which is set to be completed by November.

The block, which comprises two buildings, “is designed to facilitate long-term overnight stays for developers and construction teams involved in the new high school and gym projects, as well as other future government initiatives”, according to the release.

Situated on the Bluff between the Cayman Brac Sports Complex and multi-purpose hall, “the buildings will serve visiting school and sports teams fostering the growth of sports and events tourism on the island”, the release said.

Premier and Minister of Lands Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, speaking at the recent groundbreaking ceremony, pointed out that the projects aligned with her United People’s Movement government’s strategic priorities.

“By removing the obstacle of accommodation for future construction teams, which has historically been a deterrent to developers, development in Cayman Brac will be encouraged in a manageable way. This will lead to the implementation of projects that enhance the lives of Cayman Brac residents and improve essential services,” O’Connor-Connolly said in the release.

She added that the accommodation block will promote and facilitate the growth of sports and events tourism due to its potential to be used by visiting teams and schools.

The  block, which spans 18.1 acres and is designed to resist hurricane-force winds, includes windows and doors that meet standards for hurricane wind pressure and impact resistance.

School approval granted

There has been no confirmation on the start date for construction of the educational facility, which will accommodate 200 students and 40 staff.

Planning approval for both the school and the accommodation block was granted by the Development Control Board in December, according to the published board minutes.

However, that approval came along with specific conditions to be met prior to and at the start of construction of both projects.

Conditions set for before the start of construction include submitting plans for stormwater management, landscaping with a focus on local vegetation, construction operations and  traffic to improve Sunshine Drive.

The board has to approve these plans.

The conditions set out by the board for the start of construction include applying for and obtaining a permit from the director of planning, as well as providing proof that the project footprint boundaries have been set out on the ground by a licensed land surveyor, and are enclosed by fencing.

Contractors, based on the conditions, have to implement measures such as screens or other enclosures along with vacuuming, to ensure that any shavings, foam waste or polystyrene debris is completely captured on-site and does not impact the surrounding areas.

This must be done prior to undertaking any sanding or breaking down of polystyrene as part of the construction process.

The Development Control Board indicated that its approval is in effect for five years only and will expire if a building permit is not issued during this time.

“If the applicant wishes to reinstate the approval after this period, a new application must be submitted to the Planning Department along with required fees,” the board minutes stated.

The Ministry of Education was invited to meet with the Development Control Board to discuss the environmental impact of the proposed high school.

The Cayman Compass has requested the cost of the accommodation block as well as an update on the status of the high school project, and is awaiting a response from the ministry.