Lot 2 of the renovation works on the Roseau Cathedral, which involved the removal of asbestos-containing roof tiles, has been completed.
The project was carried out between July 26 and 29 and Dr. George Sammy, Environmental Impact Assessment expert, told a press conference on Monday that the project was done safely.
“At this point we can say that all of the asbestos material from the Cathedral has been safely removed and safely disposed of at the landfill,” Sammy affirmed.
He pointed out that while the tiles were being removed air quality monitoring was done at a number of locations around the cathedral. “These included the Methodist church, La Falaise Lab, the Social Center, Lisa’s Nurseries, St Mary’s Academy and many others,” he said. “All the results were below the accepted standard for asbestos in the air.”
He also said cleaning was done on a number of buildings around the project and and that too was done successfully.
The project now moves on to Phase 3 which will include demolition, structural steel work and sealing of the roof.
Principle consultant from Consulting Engineering Partnership, Joseph Gregoire, said the architectural feature of the church will be retained during the project.
“The objective is to try and retain the architectural picture of the church as much as possible. In other words what we would like to do is that when the church is completed, you would hardly know the difference what was there before and what is to be there,” Gregoire explained.
The overall project which is expected to last some three years is costing $8-million.
Good thing about buildings that are associated with churches, is that they have members that are always ready to help for the project budget. Still how about those buildings that have asbestos in placed and yet they don’t have any budget.
There is still so much asbestos containing material still being sold in Dominica. There are no regulations in place to protect the citizens. Fiberglas is just as dangerous.
wow i hope no one is actaully sick or has been sick this is a deadly fumes to ingested
praise God…many persons did not know the roof had that….
I was confident that it would be safely done. God sees from on high. He is in control. As they worked and in prayer on the asbestos removal, God was assisting them in this important work of safely removing all of it. Thanks be to God and through their hard work and conscientious one!
I am hoping though which may be wishful thinking. I told someone that if I were fortunate to win an exorbitant sum, The Roseau Cathedral will be first and foremost in my plans of almsgiving. I would pay it all, in full. I certainly wished that this could happen.
Would love to pay that amount as a gift to our Church. Have not yet won the lottery.
What about the Pointe Mitchel Church it too need repair/renovation, also what about the St Luke’s School, the elementary school/primary school you and your families attended, before going to the Convent High and St Mary’s Academy
Charity begins at home, and as the old saying goes, clean your house first then you can tell your neighbour to clean his or her house,
@ Williams
Charity surely begins at home. There are some who are helping and there are others who are not. I am not referring to those who do not have the means.
There is a lot you do not know about people, whom you do not know as those who comment on this Website. Therefore, never rashly judge them as some are doing.
I am not a selfish person. It is not in my nature. Those who know me are aware that I am a generous person.
A Dominican friend and I had a conversation pertaining to if we won the lottery and what we would do with it. I told the friend about the Roseau Cathedral renovations. I also said that if I were fortunate to win the lottery every Catholic Church in Dominica and those who are in need of will surely get some help. I further said that if I won it, I would pray to God to guide me as to how best to spend it.
I reside in Toronto and it is understandably that I will also help the Church that I go to.
The Archdiocese of Toronto has Share Life which helps parishioners in need of, new immigrants and also assists overseas, third world countries.
Parishioners also donate to the Missionary work. Also funding for the Bishops and Priests retirement. We give a lot annually to the Church. We must give to our Church for its upkeep, paying salaries as secretarial, maintenance, repairs, etc. Every year we receive a financial statement of the amount, collectively that we donate and of the parish expenses.
Then, there are some non-profit organizations which help the poor in many respects. I know the ones which I would give to in the event I were fortunate to win a lottery.
People have to win an exorbitant sum of money (some people are fortunate to win it) to be able to help as much as they would like to and to spread that amount around and keep some for themselves and for rainy days.
Last weekend, a couple in Ontario won a Lotto Max lottery in the amount of $20M. How fortunate they are. I thought, if only I had won it.
There are other Canadian, Ontario lotteries, all sold Canada-wide. Consider the odds of winning. Many are wishing to win.
so what
i know from the history of d.a. that the church is s historical building and so it should be treated as such the govt.of the day should bear some of the cost and the people of dominica should rally that this be done.
Port-toe catholic and I disagree with you. The church has no business with the Government. Hence the reason for Collection every Sunday
@ wiseup
Do not make negative or sarcastic comments about giving to the Church. I suppose that you are not a faithful practicing Christian. If you were I would not expect you to make such a statement. How much do you think that Dominicans can afford to assist the Cathedral and to pay the $8M which they presently need?
@ joan
You are correct. Everyone has expenses and their obligation to fulfill, no matter where they reside.
Charity begins at home. God knows their means and how much they can give. They should do all they can to help. They should have some bake sales, a fair and whatever else they could think of which will bring in a few dollars for the Cathedral.
Thanks for removing the dangerous carcinogens. Our people will be spared this deadly disease caused by asbestos. We are catching up with the “wealthier countries”.