Four community centres damaged by hurricanes repaired

Premier and Minister Natalio Wheatley

(JTV News) — Three community centres across the territory have been officially handed over to the government this week.

On Monday, February 28, two SMART community centres were handed over: the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay and the Gertrude and Christiana Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate.

On Tuesday, the Emille Dunlop Community Centre in Anegada, also a SMART centre, was handed over.

Notably, the West End Community Centre was handed over in November 2021.

Premier and Minister for Finance, Natalio Wheatley, said this marks yet another milestone in “our recovery from the devastating hurricanes of 2017 and our journey of development for sustainability and resilience”.

He said all the facilities are equipped with SMART features to make them energy efficient, as part of the Government of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

He said they are also equipped with resources that will be used as emergency shelters.

He lauded the European Union (EU) which have provided funding for these projects, as well as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which provided the technical.

“The Virgin Islands was fortunate to receive a grant from the European Union in the amount of two million euros to repair a few of the centres. The centres that benefitted from the EU’s grant funding are: West End Community Centre, the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, the Gertrude and Christiana Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate, and Emille Dunlop Community Centre in Anegada,” Wheatley said at the handing over on Monday for the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre.