By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE cost of renovations to Government House –– initially pegged at $9.9m –– will double by the time the project is complete, according to the contractor.
Floyd Wilmott, CEO of Telco Enterprise Limited, said changes were ordered as the project progressed, pushing the cost up.
“So, we started with one figure, and as we continued, for example, the ballroom, there were change orders,” he said yesterday after a blessing and rededication service for the institution. “We had to do the same for the main residence, same for the Windsor wing and the landscaping.”
He could not definitively say how much the project would cost.
“I’m going to say it’s probably about double by the time we’re done,” he said.
Renovations to the institution, initially built in the 1800s, began three years ago and are still incomplete.
Mr Wilmott said the project faced several challenges.
“Bear in mind that we started a part of the project at the height of COVID,” he said. “So, if an employee was to get COVID, the site shut down, and we had to sanitise the entire site, follow the health protocol, and wait seven to 14 days.”
Mr Wilmott said the remaining repairs should be completed by August.
During his remarks yesterday, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis praised the near completion of the historic landmark, saying it is part of the government’s efforts to rejuvenate downtown.
“At the very least, we can rest assured that with the restoration of Government House, the symbolic seat of our Head of State, we will once again be able to look on with pride at a landmark which holds so much history and so much significance for our young nation and it’s so fitting that we are doing so leading up to our 50th anniversary,” he said.
Comments
Dawes 10 months, 1 week ago
Thats fine they can even triple it. One thing i know there will be no-one held accountable for this. So they will do it again. I am not even sure if the Government (past and present) have any idea what budget means and how to create one.
Sickened 10 months, 1 week ago
Cheaper to tear it down and build from scratch... but there's no personal benefit in that. If this isn't complete by time the next administration comes in then the cost will certainly double again. Sorry... the 'cost' won't double - the amount charged will double.
mandela 10 months, 1 week ago
Why is it that Bahamians can spend 20 million dollars on a building to represent the British crown that lauds over us and can't build a building for its present and future Prime Ministers? Boy, how we love to worship foreign. Happy 50th Independence.
sheeprunner12 10 months, 1 week ago
Good question ....... We need many new buildings that represent OUR nation, but misguided priorities of our politicians are wreaking havoc on the Treasury and our national morale.
Islandboy242242 10 months, 1 week ago
Question is, will we still be paying $9,000 a month ($108,000 a year) for the Governor General to live in a gated community somewhere else and not at "Government House" :/
ExposedU2C 10 months, 1 week ago
You obviously don't know who owns the dwelling government is currently renting for the governor-general. LOL
AnObserver 10 months, 1 week ago
Why do we even need this building again?
TalRussell 10 months, 1 week ago
....@AllComrades of wearing our many different political colours. --- So, um yeah. — be it $9.9 or $19.8+ millions. — For so long as what makes Buckingham Palace --- A unique keeper for the English. — So say we keep our colony's --- Since the year of 1806 --- Ten acre 'Government House' estate, that --- Stands on Mount Fitzwilliam.
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