The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A $6 MILLION contract for the construction of a new state-of-the art Police Fire Station in Grand Bahama, which has been without one since the devastating hurricanes of 2004, has been signed.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has donated three acres of land at Fairfield East, where the two-storey, 11,660 sq ft station will be built.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis announced on Friday that a contract worth $6,109,999.75 has been awarded by the government to Patrick McDonald Construction Company. Mr Davis said Mr McDonald - the lowest bidder - was one of three building contractors in Freeport who submitted bids, which were publicly opened on December 16, 2014 at the Ministry of Finance Tenders Board meeting in Nassau.

In 2004, Grand Bahama lost its only fire station at East Settler’s Way, which was destroyed during Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne. Officers and staff of the Fire Department were relocated to cramped accommodations at the Mobile Division Headquarters.

“The challenges of the economy have caused delay of what government committed to do since 2012,” Mr Davis said. “That delay, though, has not translated to denial. Grand Bahama will have a new state-of-the-art police fire station from which officers can serve the population well into the future.”

He said the contract period is not to exceed 70 weeks. According to building plans, the structure will comprise a main floor administration office and reception area, public restrooms, police training room, operator’s office, police locker room, exercise room, dining room and kitchen and a First Aid Room.

The upper floor will consist of a police dormitory - eight single bedrooms, two double bedrooms and five bunk beds for male officers; and four bunk beds for female officers, and separate bathrooms, changing areas and showers. There will also an adjoining single-storey fire garage to house the four fire trucks, and standalone buildings where the trucks and other police vehicles will be serviced.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville, Grand Bahama Port Authority President Ian Rolle and Senior Assistant Emrick Seymour were also at the contract signing at the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

Dr Darville said the construction of a new fire station has been a priority for the Progressive Liberal Party administration since it came to office in 2012, but explained that delays were caused due to technical challenges with the original plans.

“I am elated as Minister for Grand Bahama … that through the awarding of this contract, that we are fully committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents,” he said, thanking the staff of the fire department and the residents of Grand Bahama for their patience.

Mr Rolle said he was “proud that our very own Mr McDonald is building it because the people of GB are very deserving of such a building”.