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Groundbreaking for HSLCC dormitories anticipated next year- HSLCC President

President Richard W. Georges, right, of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) announced that the college administration hopes to break ground for student dormitories at HLSCC’s Paraquita Bay campus next year. Photo: Facebook
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Deed of Contribution was signed to officially initiate the design phase for the student dormitories, a long-standing aspect of the College’s Master Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, HLSCC, and the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Photo: Facebook
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Deed of Contribution was signed to officially initiate the design phase for the student dormitories, a long-standing aspect of the College’s Master Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, HLSCC, and the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - The President of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Mr Richard W. Georges, has expressed optimism that the groundbreaking for student dormitories at HLSCC’s Paraquita Bay campus will take place next year.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Deed of Contribution was signed to officially initiate the design phase for the student dormitories, a long-standing aspect of the College’s Master Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, HLSCC, and the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA).  

During the Talking Points programme on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, April 27, 2026, Mr Georges expressed his anticipation that the RDA will soon publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the dormitory design. 

“Our hope is that the design will be budgeted and funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands for groundbreaking next year,” he said.

The design phase is being undertaken by the RDA.

Location

Mr Georges also noted that the college’s Master Plan has designated the area behind the auditorium and the UWI Open Campus for the construction of the dormitories.

“We have the resources and the land behind the auditorium and the UWI Open Campus area. That hillside is college land, and it is earmarked in our Master Plan for accommodations and housing,” he stated.

According to a recent article by VINO, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), stated that this project will support the government's commitment to diversifying the economy through educational tourism and that the Virgin Islands possesses all the natural advantages of a premier destination, along with academic offerings that attract learners from across the region and beyond.

12 Responses to “Groundbreaking for HSLCC dormitories anticipated next year- HSLCC President ”

  • another (28/04/2026, 17:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    White elephant
    • the rock (29/04/2026, 04:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It's amazing how no president of thst collage can see the importance of turning it into a university after a dream that started close to 45yrs ago by HL Stoutt- it's a darn gone shame!
  • Fran (28/04/2026, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They should build the rooms like a Hostel. 2 or 3 persons to a room. Shared living quarters, not private rooms like a hotel. More students will be able to live there. No more than 3 stories tall, spread out wide on the ground. Separate male and female bathrooms and showers. There would be a shared kitchen for all students to use. They have to clean up after themselves. Lazy, nasty students will be called out. Those qualified to stay there will pay the price for cheap room and board. This would be a good plan.
    • jerome (29/04/2026, 16:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Fran. This would be perfect for the students who reside on the sister islands, instead of boating back and forth daily.
  • Agreeable One (28/04/2026, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a question for some insight here. Is it politics that there is a push to get things done during an election year OR is it that getting things done in government just takes long because the mechanism is a very slow moving wheel due to the bureaucracy, existing issues and challenges in government, antiquated governmental/administrative systems, they get paid no matter what, low moral, vindictiveness, party affiliation of senior civil servants etc. It appears that politicians spend a lot of time on matters, policies, laws, processes, that is not visible and has little value to residents. Would 5 years provide a sitting government the needed time to get things done. 4 years goes really fast, OR is it a of both? Really curious about this!
  • WOW (28/04/2026, 23:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good move.
  • jack (29/04/2026, 07:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Young leaders doing big things
  • Karnage (29/04/2026, 10:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you pay for boarding you should get at least 2 meals a day. Hope thats being taken into consideration


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