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UPDATE: Work progressing apace for construction of new home for the elderly

Foundation work has begun for the construction of retaining walls at the new site proposed for the construction of an institutional care facility for the elderly. Photo: VINO
The site for the construction of the facility for the elderly is located in Spooners Estate. Photo: VINO
The site for the construction of the facility for the elderly is located in Spooners Estate. Photo: VINO
Upon completion of the new facility, senior citizens of the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly in Road Town will be relocated. A recent report to the House of Assembly had indicated short comings of the existing facility, including the inability to evacuate bedridden patients and the need for constant repairs on the building. Photo: VINO
Upon completion of the new facility, senior citizens of the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly in Road Town will be relocated. A recent report to the House of Assembly had indicated short comings of the existing facility, including the inability to evacuate bedridden patients and the need for constant repairs on the building. Photo: VINO
SPOONER'S ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Works are progressing apace for the construction of the new Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly at Spooner's Estate with the retaining walls on the property being 95% complete. This is according to Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Deputy Secretary Ministry of Health and Social Development.

Ms. Stoutt Igwe explained in brief that the retaining walls on the property are almost complete and the next phase is to complete some excavation works on site. This was evident when Virgin Islands News Online visited the construction site at Spooner’s Estate recently. At the time of the visit workers had retired for the day but the evidence of ongoing constant work was obvious.

“The plan is to construct the Home in phases. Following the completion of the excavation works, the next step would be to have the project tendered. However, there are some other preliminary steps that must be taken before we send out the project to tender.” Ms. Stoutt Igwe

She said that presently information relating to the time frame for each stage of the works were not available neither could she say at the time, the approximate cost for the construction of the building.”We should be able to provide a further update by the end of the first quarter of next year.” said the Secretary Ministry of Health and Social Development under whose Ministry the management of the project falls.

Parallel to the preparatory works for the erection of the actual building, infrastructural works are moving apace, this included the construction of roads and drains. Virgin Islands News Online caught up with one of the contractor who was working on a section of the road.

He explained that the infrastructural works have been given to several contractors and they too are collaborating to ensure that the road works are done in a fashion that would facilitate free access to the site of the new Adina Donovan Home.

Not mindful of being named at this stage, the contractor said that he will be bidding for the construction of the building when tenders are released. 

The construction of the new home has been deemed necessary by Government owing to the fact that the existing home is incapable of providing a safe and comfortable haven for the rapidly rising need and growing population of elderly requiring their services and in-home care. Home Based care at the Adina Donovan has been dubbed exemplary and is said to be a true home away from home atmosphere for the foundation fathers and mothers of the Virgin Islands.

See previous story posted on October 8, 2012

Work begins on site for new elderly home at Spooners Estate

- Physical progress on the construction of a new residential care facility for the elderly at Spooners Estate has begun.

Virgin Islands News Online visited the site earmarked for the facility yesterday, October 7, 2012 and observed that foundation work has begun for the construction of retaining walls.

This news site was unable to obtain an official comment from Government but our sources inside the Ministry of Health and Social Department have indicated to us that work commenced last week.

Government has viewed the project as necessary in response to the growing needs of seniors in the Virgin Islands, and especially the residents of the current Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly.

The new housing community, according to Government Information Service (GIS), will offer nursing care and assisted living to seniors residing on the compound. Also included in the designs are a chapel, mini-mart, salon, gardening centre and a recreational area.

Furthermore, it said community-based day programmes will be provided to facilitate interaction between the residents, their families and the community.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton had previously stated, “We recognise that the needs of today’s seniors are changing and we must be proactive. This proposed community will provide a safe, engaging and comfortable environment where the residents can live and interact with others. Additionally, they will have easy access to specialised nursing care.”

Eight options for residential units or studios will be offered. Studios will be designed to accommodate the various needs of seniors as they age. Options will include private or shared studios; and private or shared apartments. 

Additionally, it will offer a relief day programme for caregivers and a childcare centre for visitors.

The facility will also offer a residential ambiance with unit entrances accessed from a private courtyard and balconies offering views of the sea and the surrounding landscape, the release had stated. 

15 Responses to “UPDATE: Work progressing apace for construction of new home for the elderly”

  • VG (08/10/2012, 08:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    thats not fair...they promised us a mini hospital
  • vip (08/10/2012, 08:11) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    this one flew under the radar. was there any bids? how they say government broke
  • ooooo (08/10/2012, 08:15) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    what!!!!! how the rest of the country aint know about this?....were the plans approved?....does the opposition know about this?...well sah...i wonder what ronnie going to tell the people in virgin gorda?....are we still broke?...why start a next project and we cant get the rest of them finished?...not even the hospital parking lot
  • pop (08/10/2012, 08:23) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    and they say VIP left the country broke..
    • Lb (30/12/2012, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
      That nonsense argument is going to be the only thing you all can come up with every time this government does something? Grow up! This was budgeted for since 07 or something! Country above party! Stop the childish noise! And post a comment with more contribution!
  • john public (08/10/2012, 08:31) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
    how we aint know about this? isn't this government in the sunshine? whats the big secret? hospital finished yet? well why we start this?
  • egg face (08/10/2012, 08:35) Like (2) Dislike (38) Reply
    we support this project but the NDP got nerves to say the country broke by the last government....well sah!!!!!
    • native Boy (09/10/2012, 07:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      The old people needs a new home for sure but I am still not convinced that is the right location.
  • pampa (08/10/2012, 10:17) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    GOVERNMENT GOING PROVIDE BUS SERVICE FOR THE WORKERS TO GET UP THERE RIGHT? ESPECIALY THOSE WHO WORKS AT NIGHT.
  • BREAKING NEWS (08/10/2012, 10:34) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply
    A Gov't on the MOVE!!! Gov't BROKES yes, that is what the Banks there for! LOANS !!!!!

    Notice we working NOW! Not 6 months before election!
    • fact check (08/10/2012, 17:35) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      to breaking news; Sorry after 10 months I have not seen one thing done outside of bush cutting and a few petty contracts to keep NDP supporters quiet! Oh and some consultant work for cronies
  • Really (30/12/2012, 11:19) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope they have an ambulance on site 24/7 and transportion for workers.
  • Lb (30/12/2012, 16:30) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
    We hired them to do a job! Let them do their job and stop the noise! You don't need to know everything! The folks that needed to know, already know. People like you are why this country can't move forward. To move a rock, you all want to debate and discuss and argue and consult. Let them do what we elected them to do and that is lead and make decisions for this country. Not everything needs to be brought to us.
  • ABC (30/12/2012, 22:43) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    For this very reason Olando refused to turn over the Ministry of Finance to Ronnie. He is to darn bull headed. No one agrees with this move to send the poor and sick people out in the middle of no where. For certain Ministers mother will not be sent there. Like the Hospitol, Ronnie is on his way to make another blunder but Lando doesn't have the balls to back him off. We have brought our country to the right cliff hanger.
  • Dallas (18/09/2021, 03:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow, yeah that's definitely on a hill there. A Retaining Wall is probably a good option in this case.


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