Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald on Monday toured construction of the new Holmes Rock Junior High School site in West Grand Bahama, and said he was pleased with the progress. Minister Fitzgerald pointed out that in the design of the school, the government ensured certain features were in place for the facility to function not only as a place of learning, but also as a hurricane shelter.

The Minister indicated that Grand Bahama is low lying and so it was important to ensure that the building could be occupied during a hurricane.

He noted, "we are very impressed with the fact that this school is built, as we can see, well above sea level."

He was accompanied on the tour by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.

Two construction companies were awarded the contract, Brick House and RCL.

Minister Fitzgerald thanked all those working to make the project a success, namely the Ministry of Works, Minister Darville and the Ministry for Grand Bahama, as well as staff of the Ministry of Education.

He said, "we are just very excited about this new complex that will be the first new school that's built in this area for decades."

The ground breaking and contract signing for the new state of the art facility were held September 2016, when Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, and Minister of Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe addressed the ceremony.

Bahamas Information Services