PRESS RELEASE: Construction has commenced on the restoration of the Troops Barracks at Fort Shirley at the historic Cabrits Garrison to convert it into a hostel to accommodate 40 guests. The building will compliment the restored Officers’ Quarters that is already a popular venue for wedding receptions, dinners and conferences.
The walls of the original Troops Barracks were destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979 but all of the cut stone is still there in a heap and will be used to reconstruct the building. The restored barracks is designed on three levels: Bathroom facilities with showers, toilets and wash basins will occupy the basement. The dormitories will be on the main floor. These will be divided into male and female sections containing bunk beds and cupboards. The attic will house two self contained apartments for teachers and team leaders.
The historic Troops Kitchen is also being restored to provide an old style barbeque, oven and cooking range. Modern kitchen and dining facilities already exist in the Officers’ Quarters. The total amount detailed for the hostel project is EC $1,000,000. The funds are coming from a special account made up of National Park visitor user fees collected over the last five years.
The external design of the building is based on 240 year old plans that have been researched in the British National Archives at Kew in London. The work is being carried out by Island Heritage Initiatives Limited. This is the restoration company that was responsible for the work already completed at Fort Shirley under the European Union Eco-Tourism Development Programme. It is made up of a specialized team of masons and carpenters skilled in traditional building methods.
The Fort Shirley Hostel will be open to accommodate all types of groups such as students, church and community groups, visiting academics, family reunions, sports teams and cadet corps, among others. The old Parade Ground, the size of the Newtown Savannah, is being cleared from the forest to provide a sports field and drill ground for cadets.
The national park setting with walking trails, beaches and marine zone, and access to other sites in the north of Dominica, will make this a wonderful place for young people to learn about the island and at the same time enjoy camp life.
Excellent venture and what a fantastic idea to make use of the entrace fees charged to visitors to the National Park, and in so doing such projects can actually pay for themselves without a burden on the tax paying and waiting on a hand out from the government. Fantastice!
I have always been one of those advocates who agree that everytime a visitor visits our National Parks on the island they should be charged an entrance fee, as that most certainly helps with the up keep and any renovations that may need to be done from time to time.
I moved to London when I was 5 from DA and I have to say most tourist attractions over here, one has always had to pay an entrance fee, and every where that I have visited whether that be other parts of Europe or North America that same practice is evident, not to mention a lot of islands in the Caribbean region as well, and rightly so I say.
I have absolutely no issue at all paying an entrance fee to visit a tourist attraction in Dominica, as I would expect it and question if that wasn’t the case, bearing in mind the beneficial revenue that is derived from the tourism industry.
Well done and I was most impressed with how stunning the Fort Shirley National Park looks the last time I was in DA and drove down to spend a day there and I just know this latest work is going to be spectacular.
Keep up the excellent work whoever all the people are behind this restoration poject!
… man in Da is Dcan idol man singing for their supper even if they fat already. … just name them. See the meeting skerro called last year to honore his old freedom god fathers.Some showed up with their heart pills in their shirt pockets, some with their catheter,viagra in their pockets their fuay di tablets all came to sing for snack.
Alos for Roseau got his cut.Skerro working on something for the salisbury former fredoom partner like him… all dem man singing for their pockets.
So we come, or is it so we have been all along. These day nobody have shame. Instant gratification is the moto. Man building Palace wife leave them and they runing concubines.
NIce to restore the building but I think this needs some more thought! Don’t tourists (and non-resident Dominicans) have to pay to access the Cabrits? This is right next to the other restored buildings from what I see in the picture. The tourists pay to go there to find church crusade going on? Night time use for dinners sounds okay, weddings sound good, but having two dormitories there – what is the purpose of that, cause this changes the use – sounds more like a youth/retrea centre. I can just imagine all the clothes hanging outside flying in the wind by the next day when the undies are washed! I don’t know anywhere in the world where there is use of a building like that on a paid site. Disneyland hotel is outside the gates, Kew gardens hotel is outside the gates etc etc. Tell me this is on the other ‘mound’ and there will be a different entrance.
Island Heritage Initiatives Ltd. is glad to be rewarded to restore the Cabrits area. But Dr. Honey church never supported WEF, a local NGO and Bernard Wiltshire in their bid to get the job of developing the WaitiKubuli Trail. In fact as a member of the Steering Committee Lennox has the gull to raise concern about WEF not playing its role on that body, whereas it was WEF who initiated and raised funds to jump start that important project which was stolen from the NGO in favour of a foreign French co.
The same with the geothermal exploration project. Honey Church never gave the local entrepreneurs any support. Again he supported the Govt. to tag with a foreign co. instead since silence on that matter is consent. Many concludes that is why Honey Church has deepened his support for the ruling party and makes statements praising Govt on almost all fronts because of that lucrative project and the $$$$$$$ he makes. By the way where is the transparency or accountability regarding the earlier projects or works at the Cabrits? What about all the millions of dollars expenditure? Who from what Ministry was overseeing the project? Any engineer was assigned to the project? Or was Honey Church engineer, accountant and everything else? Dominicans come to know why some persons sing even when they are not singers.
Great thoughts. I enjoy going to the Cabrits.
Think what we may of Dr. Honychurch but this man is a national treasure. The work he has done at the Cabrits, most times without any fanfare, is incredible. I love that spot! The whole ambiance and the views are “sick!” And with the ongoing works is only going to get better. Now only if central government will see the wisdom in paying more attention to Portsmouth on a whole. This place got so much potential…aahh!! It frustrates me.
It’s interesting to note that he has been involved in similar projects in Antigua, Grenada, and St.Vincent.
So others are very appreciative of his expertise.
Hear, hear, and one of these good days I pray that my people “DOMINICANS”, will recapture that patriotic pride that we once had in our island, it’s achiements and achievers and wave that flag till we cannot wave anymore with just that, PRIDE!
For a small island state, DA seems to be so oversaturated with either fanatical, primitive politics or judgemental religious drama, which really doesn’t steer the island towards positive advancement in every possible facet of life, as it almost seems that Dominicans cannot discuss the weather without some political or religious ideology being brought to the forefront, often times overshadowing the main issues in this process.
THAT CANNOT BE RIGHT AND IT SADDENS ME, AS THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HINDER DOMINICA IF NOT STOPPED!
I remember high school trips to Portsmouth. Visiting the Cabrits was always the icing on the cake. I look forward to seeing the renovated cabrits including the new hostel. A job well done to all concerned.
Great idea. However i did not see anything mentioned on it being build to earthquake code considering we have had earthquake activity in that part of town.
I am assuming it was considered.
Thumbs up
When do we start construction work on Camp David where the PM can enjoy his weekends away from the hustle and bustle and annoyance of Roseau, La Plaine, Marigot and Salisbury?
u cannot be more stupid than what you just say!!!
Yeah your comments have become very viral on this site. And they are starting to paint a picture of you as being a serious retard.
it is wonderful when we take what we have and build on it.
Excellent idea! The renovated officers quarters was a great job. The Cabrits is my favorite place. It would be an excellent venue for retreats, camps, and other such activities…I CANT WAIT to sleep at Cabrits. LOL
Thumbs up to Dr. Lennox Honeychurch.. good job Dr.. Giving you your flowers whilst u are alive…..
This is wonderful, in university I was a backpacker – hostel member. Great deals at hostels all over US, Canada and Europe. Meeting different people. Learnt the game of chess at one.
Love the idea.
who ever is behind this i would like to say job well done. we are moving in the right direction
This is a wonderful idea. Thumbs up!
Good initiative.