🏗️ Cayman Islands government funds $8.5M housing for construction workers

The Cayman Islands Government is investing CI$8.5 million in a 38-suite block on Cayman Brac to house construction workers. These workers will be involved in the construction of a proposed $50 million high school on the Bluff. The project, which is being funded by the public purse, was announced last week. Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connlly stated that the project will stimulate development on the Sister Islands. The accommodation block is also designed to facilitate long-term stays for developers and construction teams involved in other future government initiatives, and visiting school and sports teams, thus promoting sports and events tourism on the island. 🏝️

The project is in line with the government's strategic priorities and is expected to remove a barrier to further development on Cayman Brac. In the past, the lack of accommodation for construction teams has been a deterrent to developers. The new accommodation block will encourage development in a manageable way, leading to the implementation of projects that enhance the lives of Cayman Brac residents and improve essential services. The project also signifies a transformative phase for Cayman Brac and the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure, future-proofing for resiliency and supporting community development. The block is being constructed between the Cayman Brac Sports Complex and the multi-purpose hall and is expected to be completed in November. 🚧

Officials have stated that the project will significantly reduce lodging expenses associated with the new high school’s construction and create new opportunities for sports and education programmes that require inter-island travel to Cayman Brac. The government has already allocated funds in the budget this year for the new school, but it has not given a start date. The school, which will accommodate 200 students and 40 staff, and the housing block for the workers received planning permission in December last year. The workers’ accommodation project comprises two single-story buildings designed to resist hurricane-force winds, with all windows and doors designed to meet hurricane-wind pressures and be impact-resistant. 🏫