The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has partnered with the Bahamas Government to fund the construction of a student dormitory and multipurpose facility at the College of The Bahamas Northern Campus. During a press conference on Thursday, the GBPA announced that through its agreement with the Government, it has pledged to contribute 50 acres of land near the campus in East Grand Bahama and $3 million toward the cost of construction.

"This is a happy illustration of the enduring partnership between the Government of the Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to promote education, employment and job opportunities for our talented young Grand Bahamians," GBPA Vice Chairman Sarah St. George said.

The proposed dormitory will accommodate 88 students and include 14 rooms, a courtyard, communal kitchen, offices and a health clinic. The student housing project, which will be built by the Almaco Group, is anticipated to provide 30 to 50 construction jobs and is slated to begin in early 2016.

The housing facility is expected to accommodate rising enrollment at the College of The Bahamas and attract prospective students from neighbouring islands in the north, as well as Grand Bahamians that reside in outlying settlements.

Acknowledging Grand Bahama as the industrial capital of The Bahamas, GBPA President Ian Rolle said that the introduction of student housing for the northern campus would enable the campus to draw students across The Bahamas and abroad for specialised industry programmes.

"It has been a desire of ours to facilitate the implementation of niche studies on the island of Grand Bahama, where students would travel from throughout the islands of the Bahamas and from overseas to engage in studies on our beautiful island," President Rolle said.

College of The Bahamas President Dr Rodney Smith echoed these sentiments, stating that the construction of a state-of-the-art student dormitory in Grand Bahama is a game-changer for the island and the institution as it makes strides toward achieving university status.

"We are preparing for another defining phase in the northern campus' evolution," he said. "We envision our northern campus becoming the centre of excellence for maritime, industrial, manufacturing and entrepreneurial studies for the University of The Bahamas."

Additionally, Dr Smith said, the dormitory would engage students in a more active campus life and help cultivate a university city in that community. "We anticipate that the impact of this $3 million gift from the Grand Bahama Port Authority will extend way beyond the actual construction of our residential facility at the northern Bahamas campus. With more and more students on campus occupying living quarters, there will be a growing need for ancillary and even retail and commercial services in the surrounding community. This will create new opportunities for entrepreneurship and revenue generation."

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville expressed excitement about the possibilities presented by the development of the northern campus. He said that as a College of The Bahamas alumnus, he is thrilled with the progress the institution has made over the years.

"I've watched the College of the Bahamas here on the island of Grand Bahama go through many different challenges as a result of lack of facilities," Dr Darville said. "By putting the proper infrastructure in place, I'm certain the College of The Bahamas will now attract more diverse students from the northern region and it will help the College of The Bahamas to grow. This is a new frontier for young Bahamians who want to develop homes and who want to be a part of what Grand Bahama has to offer."

Considering the potential impact the housing facility has for the island, Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald said the project is another step toward Grand Bahama realising its true potential. He hailed the project as a testament to the value of private-public partnerships in the development of education, industry and economic growth in The Bahamas and commended the GBPA for its role in the advancement of education and training opportunities in Grand Bahama.

"I want to thank the Grand Bahama Port authority, the St. George family and the Hayward family for the tremendous commitment to education over the years, not only in words but also with regard to financial contribution," Minister Fitzgerald said. "There's no way that anyone can question the Grand Bahama Port Authority's commitment to education and what it represents to the people of Grand Bahama."

The proposed student dorms feature a modular design that allows for a significant reduction in the construction period and minimises adverse environmental impact.

About The Grand Bahama Port Authority.

In Freeport, city management and economic development are the mandates of The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA). The GBPA, by virtue of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, has regulatory responsibility for commercial, industrial and residential development within the 230 square mile economic zone, known as the "Port Area," on the island of Grand Bahama. For more information, visit www.gbpa.com.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has partnered with the Bahamas Government to fund the construction of a student dormitory and multipurpose facility at the College of The Bahamas Northern Campus. Shown (L-R): President and CEO of ALMACO (construction company) Mr. Vilhelm Roberts; Minister for Grand Bahama Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; College of The Bahamas President Dr. Rodney Smith; Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald; College Council Chairman Mr. Alfred Sears; Vice-Chair of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Group of Companies Ms. Sarah St. George; President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority Group of Companies Mr. Ian Rolle; and, College Council Member and Vice-President of Building and Development Services at the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited Mr. Arthur Jones. (PHOTO: Keen i Media Ltd)

The Grand Bahama Port Authority has pledged a donation of $3 million and 50 acres of land toward the construction of a student dormitory and multipurpose facility at The College of The Bahamas Northern Campus. The Almaco Group will construct the housing facility, which will accommodate 88 students and feature 14 bedrooms, a community kitchen and health clinic.