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Construction of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building moving apace

Construction of the new Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, a three-million-dollar project expected to be completed next year, is said to be moving faster than anticipated. Photo: VINO
It was late last year, in August 2023, that a contract was signed with Autland Heavy Equipment Co Ltd for the construction of the new Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre located in John’s Hole, Road Town. Photo: VINO
It was late last year, in August 2023, that a contract was signed with Autland Heavy Equipment Co Ltd for the construction of the new Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre located in John’s Hole, Road Town. Photo: VINO
The old Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building was destroyed in the hurricanes of September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO/File
The old Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building was destroyed in the hurricanes of September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO/File
JOHN’S HOLE, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands, via the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), is moving full steam ahead in building yet another school.

It was late last year, in August 2023, that a contract was signed with Autland Heavy Equipment Co Ltd for the construction of the new Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre located in John’s Hole, Road Town.

The three-million-dollar project, which is expected to be completed next year, is said to be moving faster than anticipated and could be ahead of schedule.

This is another of the Virgin Islands Party Government's investments in school infrastructure, according to Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL).

Modern top-notch school

At the signing ceremony last year, Hon de Castro noted that “the new school will provide an education that is inclusive, empowering and aligned with our Territory’s mandate to educate all children”.

Local contractor Dion K. Crabbe, speaking exclusively to our newsroom, confirmed that the project is some “two months ahead of schedule”.

Mr Crabbe noted that this is a very modern school for differently abled students and may be the only modern one of its kind in the Caribbean. "I am impressed with the designs, they thought this one through” he noted.

Once completed, the new school will have sensory and therapy rooms, a nurse’s base and medical treatment room, playground and green space, medical personnel and wheelchair access throughout the building, up to 12 students per classroom, a principal’s office, and a 12-person staff room.

While construction is ongoing, Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre's students and staff are temporarily housed at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay.

The old Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building was destroyed in the hurricanes of September 2017.

11 Responses to “Construction of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre building moving apace”

  • Maria Louisa Varlack (06/05/2024, 10:31) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    excellent. i only have education as far as practical nurse training. in terms of education and nursing and medical and healthcare profession it is excellent that now the british virgin islands has turn to a much needed service in our territory. these areas can no longer be placed under the mat and to wipe your feet on the mat and ignore these services to aide the developmentally disabled which is often a service that is highly overlook in the healthcare and medical profession. too many people laugh and mock and scorn and ridicule and intimidate and abuse individuals that are developmentally disabled.
  • jack (06/05/2024, 11:34) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    You building all these building for children and yet they don't use them,you need to build buildings for yourself and stop renting spaces, waste of taxpayers money.
    • @ Jack (06/05/2024, 12:36) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      You haters not going to keep the bvi from progressing I staying with VIP AND LORNA
  • Citizen (06/05/2024, 12:35) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is the only government in the bvi that pays attention to education clap clap clap 4 more years
  • asura (06/05/2024, 22:32) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    deCastro is the hardest working Minister BAM
  • asking for a friend (07/05/2024, 03:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come there are no comments when it's good news and showing progress?
  • Sad (07/05/2024, 05:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Waste of money and will set back the children wity disabilities another 80yrs meaning once y you isolate them again the stigma returns, when they were part of the Mighty Scatiliffe all the kids interacted, the differently abled students got accepted by they peers, which is the norm all over the world not to isolated but to integrate! Sad sad!
  • Where's Kye? (07/05/2024, 07:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nice, when will the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and The Hall Of Justice Building projects start? When will the refurbishment of the Ventral Administration Building get back on stream? When will the Roada and Water Infrastructure begin?
  • @@Jack (07/05/2024, 10:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    this project is not a VIP project; it was already in the pipeline from the previous administration time. that and many others the vip administration is doing. outside of that it is a project worth continuing so we are pleased that they have not discontinued this one. Go go RDA; give credit to everyone. Give us a new project because so far nothing is new.
  • ?? (07/05/2024, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would the bvi services programme have a floor?

    Or










    Does the BVI Services Programme for Special Needs Adults fit into this new school or if the old site will be refurbished for them?






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