Remedial works will soon commence on the former Clarence Thomas Ltd. (CTL) Building which is temporarily housing students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).

A contract was signed on July 5 between the Recovery Development Agency and Dennis Ricketts of D. E. Property Development in the sum of $245,848.80 to redevelop the building at Pasea Estate.

The RDA’s Head of Communications, Ms. Colene A. Penn said, “The Elmore Stoutt High School is of the highest priority for the Recovery and Development Agency and works on the temporary building are scheduled to be completed before the start of the new year.”  

The scope of works for the contract include repairs and eventual upgrades of the existing air-conditioning system; the installation of additional lights and power outlets; the supply and installation of new doors, storage cabinets and acoustic ceilings. In addition, work to repair the staircase, refurbish the teachers’ lounge and supply and install emergency lights and signage.

To date, six other contracts have been signed with commitments to develop structures for the school. They Include:

• Clearance of debris at the Elmore Stoutt High School by Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd. (Autland) -signed on March 24
• Refurbishment of the Elmore Stoutt High School’s L-shaped building signed on April 18 by four local contractors (Roy Garraway of Quality Construction Ltd, Brian Marshal of Metro Construction Ltd, Autley Crabbe of Autland Heavy Equipment Ltd and Rayneau Gajathuar of Construction Industrial and Equipment, a company out of St. Lucia collaborating with local contractor Mr. Gregory Hodge)
• Supply and installation of twelve temporary music classrooms by community donors - presented on June 19.

Premier and Minister of Finance had said in April that senior students will continue school at the CTL Building, but now they will attend school full-time.  “This will end the shift system which was implemented as a result of the destruction of the ESHS campus in September 2017 by Hurricane Irma.  In the meantime the plans for the new ESHS campus are in the making,” The Premier said at the time.

Meanwhile, the refurbishing of the L-Shaped building will allow students in grades seven to nine to return to a full day of classes once completed for the new school year.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture is committed to providing high quality education while ensuring a safe and healthy working environment where students and teachers feel valued and respected.       

Attached: Photograph of contract signing