An imposing and multi-purpose building – The Valley Polyclinic – is to rise from the hardened dust in the middle of Anguilla where there was once a cluster of public health buildings which served the island over a period of some seven decades.
The ground-breaking for the new edifice was not only long in coming as an overwhelming part of the public sector projects being funded under the 60 million pounds from the UK Government. It is also one of the projects for which there has been a lot of back and forth discussions, and re-designing, involving the Governments of Anguilla and the UK, the Governor’s Office responsible for the Anguilla Programme and, to some extent, the British Structural Firm, WYG. The Anguillian construction company is PACE, headed by Mr. Lewis Liburd, with the local designer and architect being Mr. Raoul Vanterpool.
Chairing the ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday, March 5, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Community Development, Mr. Foster Rogers, said in part: “This is the third improvement to the primary healthcare site on the same compound – so it is a graduation. It is commitment to meet the needs of the public; and it is an honour to be involved in one of the most – if not – the most significant health development in the last generation.”
Mr. Rogers continued: “In essence, when this building is completed, the Health Authority of Anguilla would have replaced the lost health and dental services which resulted from the passage of Hurricane Irma but it will be better, stronger and more resilient,” he continued. “On the top floor, this building will also house the entire executive team of the Health Authority of Anguilla including board room facilities. This means that for the first time in the 16 years of the Health Authority’s history, it will have a place to call home – without displacing the service of other staff or renting from the private sector. This has indeed been an accomplishment.”
Then Acting Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, said it was a very good day for Anguilla. “It is also a demonstration of the strong commitment and partnership between the UK Government and the people of Anguilla in committing those funds, as far as the Anguilla Programme is concerned,” he further stated. “Sixty million pounds is nothing to sneeze about and I think it goes a long way to show how committed the UK Government is to Anguilla. I also have to recognise the work of the Minister [Evans Rogers] – his passion in Executive Council – and beyond to make the case for funding for health.”
He expressed thanks to other persons including Permanent Secretary, Foster Rogers; the CEO of the Health Authority, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams; the Facilities Manager, Mr. Malcolm Webster; and other health officials. “As Head of the public service, these are moments that I really enjoy and feel proud to be a member of the Anguilla public service when I see work like this in aid of such an endeavour.” He also congratulated his former schoolmate, Mr. Raoul Vanterpool, for designing The Valley Health Clinic along with the WYG, represented by Mr. Anthony Gardener; and Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey whom he said did a fantastic job in handling the Anguilla Programmme funding.
Minister of Health, Mr. Evans Rogers, thanked the British taxpayers from whom, through the UK Government, Anguilla accessed the 60 million pounds for the Anguilla Programme. “I thank the Governor and the entire British team, here on Anguilla, for the work that they have been doing and for the cooperation in terms of what we are going to put here.” He also congratulated and thanked PACE Construction, represented by Mr. Lewis Liburd, for being awarded the contract for The Valley Polyclinic; the Architect and the WYC team.
The Minister was joined by the CEO of the Health Authority, Mrs. Demis-Adams, in expressing delight over the improved health facilities. “It is the site that is going to house the heart-beat of our health facilities,” she said. “The Valley Polyclinic is going to be the place that will lead primary healthcare on Anguilla. It is going to facilitate our pharmacy services; most of our primary healthcare clinics in addition to our dental unit; and, of course, it is going to house our corporate business centre.”
