Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE (R9) together with former legislator Eileene L. Parsons, Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton at the opening ceremony for the new Peebles Hospital today December 17, 2014. Photo: VINO

Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony. Photo: VINO

The official cutting of the ribbon. Photo: VINO

The Elmore Stoutt High School Band at the opening. Photo: VINO

Students of the Robinson O'Neal Memorial Primary School of Virgin Gorda performing a dance during the opening. Photo: VINO

Jost Van Dyke students performing drama during the opening today. Photo: VINO

The staff team who worked to ensure that the building was ready for the opening. Photo: VINO

It was the occasion of the ‎official opening ceremony of the New Peebles Hospital today December 17, 2014 when Honourable O'Neal urged that all should celebrate.

He also reminded that while the project of building the hospital was started by the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2007 it was the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government who took it through until 2011.

"As you know the NDP started the construction and the VIP carried it on until 2011 and then the NDP took it to completion and we are glad at that, very glad at that," said Hon O'Neal.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton also acknowledged the VIP's dedication toward pulling the construction through while they were in power.

"We must realize that it is being done for the people...." Hon O'Neal added.

‎"The building of the new hospital was foremost item on the agenda of NDP when it was officially launched in February of 1998.... In 2003 we set sailed towards this day. We developed plans, we organized financing, we went out to tender and finally the contract for construction work was signed in January 2007. We broke ground in February of 2007 and we were fired in August 2007," said Hon Skelton.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith capped the day of the official opening as a red letter day.

He said, “Today has been eagerly anticipated and is a truly auspicious occasion in the history of the British Virgin Islands as we open our new state-of-the-art Peebles Hospital!‎ What a tremendous journey it has been to this stage. For decades we have been making steady progress in our healthcare delivery system. We boast a comprehensive public health network with clinics throughout the Territory.”

He said that they saw the expansion of medical services with the addition of specialist services at the Peebles Hospital, provided by many local doctors, so that the community could be offered modern and efficient treatment.

"We saw the professional growth and development of our nurses," said Premier Smith.

Today doctors and nurses put down their coats and stethoscopes not only to listen to the few speeches and see organizations and individuals donate large sums of monies to the new Peebles Hospital ‎but to show their other side as they danced especially for the dignitaries present.

The massive crowd which turned out was entertained by students of Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda in addition to pieces of musical entertainment by the Elmore Stoutt High School band.