As hundreds of visitors and nationals stream to and fro through the new temporary passenger terminal at Blowing Point, there is a good deal of commendation and admiration being publicly expressed by them.
“Oh my goodness, it is so nice,” one visitor arriving from the American East Coast remarked as she ascended the steps. An Anguillian entering the building just behind her casually replied: “I am glad you like it.”
The significantly refurbished temporary passenger terminal is in fact the “Big Jim Building” which has been modified internally to provide seamless Immigration and Customs services. Externally, there is a new and attractive adjoining purpose-built area for passengers leaving the island and for security checks. There is also an opposite exit area for passengers returning to Anguilla and for employees’ work stations etc.
The design and renovation work was done by Mr. Andy Brown, a well-known graphics designer, photographer and videographer and his team of workmen. Originally, the “Big Jim Building” was used as a facility by Dolphin Discovery.
The privately-owned building, well north of the Blowing Point jetties, has been leased by the Government of Anguilla until a permanent structure, funded under the UK grant programme, can be built. The two-storey building and the additions were commissioned as the temporary passenger terminal on Christmas Day. Prior to that tents, and the existing old building down at the edge of the port, were used as makeshift passenger services.
On Monday, December 31, The Anguillian newspaper was taken on a partial tour of the high-security premises by the Acting Port Manager, Ms. Margaret Gumbs, in the absence of the Manager, Mr. Dale Rogers. One of the new areas she pointed out was a most welcomed newly-poured concrete walkway to facilitate the smooth movement of luggage for arriving or departing passengers, and the operations of porters. Another thoughtful provision she mentioned was the first of three security ladders installed at the head of one of the three piers. The ladder is there to assist a passenger in the event that he or she falls into the sea while stepping off a ferryboat.
All in all, the temporary passenger terminal creates a very attractive scene at the Blowing Point Port except for the remaining old building – immediately in front of the port – which will later be demolished. Below that building is an area of vacant land which originally provided space for the passenger terminal which was extensively damaged by Hurricane Irma, in September 2017, and had to be demolished. The new passenger terminal, now being designed, is expected to be built on a higher land area away from the original site.
