Over $400,000 is needed before residents can be moved to the new Grotto Home now being constructed in Bellevue Rawle.
This is according to Tina Alexander, Secretary to the Board of Directors of Community Hostels Inc.
“We need everyone to help,” Alexander said, in providing an update of the project so far.
She pointed out that the current temporary premises of the Grotto Home is structurally insecure and residents should be moved as soon as possible.
“The Dominica Club, which is occupied by the 42 vulnerable homeless residents, is structurally insecure, especially during storms and in order to assist in moving the residents as soon as possible the it has been decided to try to install a temporary kitchen and laundry and to erect a dining area,” she said. “The Board of Directors is hoping that Cabinet will be able to secure funds to help these people to live in safe comfortable conditions soon.”
According to her, following the ground breaking by President Nicholas Liverpool in April 2011, plans were approved and work started on the new Grotto Home in January 2012.
Using the EC$600,000 proceeds from the sale of the original Grotto Site to Government, 75 percent of Phase 1 is now complete, she confirmed
According to her, Phase one consists of two blocks containing three dormitories and bathrooms to accommodate 48 residents.
Alexander said thanks to the donation of both roofs by the Baptist Builders, the value of the work done thus far is approximately $800,000.
“The estimates for all that it would take to complete the dormitories and make it possible to care for the residents were compiled by Eric James,” she said. “He suggests that the total sum required to complete phase one, including a temporary kitchen and laundry and a basic Dining Room shelter which would be a Gazebo-like construction with Tarpaulin walls and covered walkways to make access possible would be $459,210.50.”
Alexander stated that the following works remain to complete Dormitories 1 and 2:
– Windows
– External Doors
– Finishes
– Walls
– Floors
– Tiling
– Services
– Electricals
– Plumbing
– Painting
– Fittings and furnishings
– Kitchen cupboards
– Laundry cupboards
– External Works
– Drains
– Septic Tank
Alexander is appealing to Dominican tradesmen to offer to work at a reduced rate or to donate their team for a Saturday to complete these tasks.
She noted that Phase 2 of the project “will include the main building, kitchen and laundry, dining room, daytime toilets and emergency showers, meeting/chapel area, offices, medical room and staff sleeping-in area. All of this area is designed to be hurricane resistant and to have the capacity to accommodate vulnerable non residents before during or after a disaster. It also includes the verandah daytime seating areas for both males and females.”
A car parking area and road that will encircle the buildings is also planned. There are some earth works necessary to prepare the ground but the trees have already been removed.
Alexander revealed that there are no concrete commitments of assistance with this phase as yet, which will cost approximately EC$1.2-million.
She noted that for Phase 2, the Rotary Club is soliciting donations of equipment such as a commercial stove, fridge freezer, beds, chairs and tables on behalf of the Grotto and a commercial washing machine has already been donated through a Board Member.
“The Board of Directors is seeking funds for this, possibly from disaster preparedness agencies, ….they would be pleased to hear from well-wishers at home and abroad of possible sponsorship,” she said.
Phase 3 of the project will include the third Dormitory Block to house those currently non- resident and the development of a sustainable on-site farm and garden for therapeutic activities, according to Alexander.
I just don’t understand this. Wasn’t there a building estimate done before any ground breaking was carried out? And why oh why would persons initiate a project knowing that they wouldn’t have sufficient funds to complete? I mean I don’t mind if its just finishings remaining, but it sounds like it’s about 50% of the work is still incomplete. I am just really puzzled.
Nothing beats a start than a start. Why the negativity?
Its called caution, nothing wrong with that , to often money donated is not managed correctly
I did not realize that this lady qualified engineer furthermore she seems to think people will just continue donating money without asking questions .
Wasn’t this same Grotto in the news recently where the PRO was saying someone had misappropriated funds? Surely an explanation is in order before people start giving money to Grotto again.
Please provide us with a contact number or a bank account number website for donations, My engineering company would be willing to donate at least two weeks work free to this wordy cause.
Please e mail the secretary on [email protected] and we would be very pleased to hear from you as to how we can work together. Thanks for the offer. Community hostels account in NBD is also open for donations
Would still love to hear from this engineering company call 4498593 or email [email protected] please do call
Come on tradesmen.. What a wonderful opportunity to show that the spirit of ‘koude may’ is very much alive and well in our country. God’s blessings await you all.
Wasn’t the plan estimated before construction started? that sound weird. or maybe just poor planning again
you already anwered the first question,an estimation,an estimation does not actually refect the completion,changes and improvements does arise in a project,there is always something that does not look or sit right.
Good initial to take care of the less fortunate.
As an engineer practicing for several years, I have never seen someone estimate a project of that magnitude to such level of accuracy -$459,210.50. It either shows that this engineer is inexperience or just really dan good! Did you cater for uncertainty in construction – weather issues, equipment breakdown, delays etc?
But oh my god – why are things in D/ca so expensive? Shouldn’t material for a project like that get duty free concessions? The ‘value’ of the work so far is $800 thousand, electrical, plumbing, floors, walls etc etc etc etc are all incomplete? I would like to know the breakdown of these expenses, in terms of material expense, design cost, and labor- I think the public should know where these monies are going.
“As an engineer practicing for several years,..”?? If this statement is in fact true, you would KNOW that Eric James is a QS (Quantity Surveyor) not an engineer. Furthermore, your interaction with QS’s as an ‘engineer’, figures (down to dollars and cents) are not uncommon. We are dealing with a fund raising organization. Rounding-up figures could have auditing implications. I could go on/comment further but, by your opening paragraph, you’ve failed in your reasoning.
People like you write without thinking. Sir I do not know who Eric is- I practice in USA. So unless Eric is as popular as President Obama, don’t blame me. Furthermore, to have a surveyor do an estimate on a structure of that magnitude just confirms my suspicion that the presentation of estimate to such level of accuracy was done by an inexperience person in that field. Now as to making people think your estimate is soo good by telling them dowm to the cents is just deceptive.
Please do contact us for a detailed breakdown of what we have spent and what we need …..glad to receive any constructive advice [email protected]
What is all you problem now na? All you that want more money. Every 6 months all you saying all you want more. All you worse than Cathedral man