In 2015, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, under the direction of the late Sir Jack Hayward and Sarah St. George, committed a donation of three million dollars towards student dormitories to the then, College of The Bahamas.

Now, three years later, The University of the Bahamas (UB) officially unveiled the new campus dorms in a special ceremony held at UB North on Grand Bahama Island under the auspices of University President Dr. Rodney Smith, the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Peter J Turnquest and other dignitaries.

“This hall will help to transform UB North from a commuting campus to a residential one,” said Smith. “The cafeteria will bring much needed food services to the campus and indeed the area.

The campus’ living and learning environment will help to significantly improve student life on campus,” he said.

Former GBPA Manager of Building & Development Services Arthur Jones championed this project and advocated the use of modern building techniques deployed at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in their refurbishment of state-of-the-art Cruise Ships.

Ian Rolle and the GBPA introduced ALMACO, the Finnish experts in modular design to UB, and, together with local contractor Jan Builders, they were able to halve the construction cost, from a proposed nine million to a more affordable $4.5 million build out.

This new addition means that UB Students from West End to East End can eliminate their long commute by living on campus, as well as accommodating family island and Nassau students seeking higher education in a less congested city.

The newly opened dorms have 28 double and 28 single rooms, plus another two double rooms fully-equipped with handicapped access.

“We want to see 24-hour activity here,” said President Smith.

“The Port Authority has been a willing, enthusiastic and dedicated partner.

With the Port’s help, we have been able to make the campus what it is today and with their help we will continue to grow, and impact Grand Bahama which will indeed be a benefit to the entire country.

Hawksbill Hall is the first residential facility at the UB Northern campus and it was named in honour of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which established a free trade zone as economic stimulus for Grand Bahama, overseen now by Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sarah St. George.

In quoting Dr. Oliver Goldsmith, St George quipped, , “Life is a journey that must be travelled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations” adding “Well, today these new dormitories should make the road a little shorter, and life a little more accommodating for eighty-six new young aspiring academics,” Also noted St. George, “Especially important for the young ladies, it also offers a safe and healthy living environment, complete with its own in-house Hall Director, a gym, computer lab, recreation room, laundry facilities and cafeteria.”

Committed to the education of young persons in Freeport, St George noted that her father, Edward St. George and Sir Jack Hayward both dreamed of Grand Bahama having its very own college campus.

Years after their donation of 50 acres of land, that dream is now a reality for residents in the nation’s second city.

Sarah St George shared her own fond memories as a live-in student, and reminded youngsters that Facebook was created in a Dorm-room before finding its way to the Boardroom.

“Out of an acorn grows a mighty oak” she said, “and I hope great friendships and great things will emerge from this humble building in years to come…because as a dorm sign by Stephen Anderson read, ‘Alone we are Smart. Together we are Brilliant’”.

Hawksbill Hall is the first residential facility at the UB Northern campus and it was named in honor of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which established a free trade zone as an economic stimulus for Grand Bahama, overseen now by Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sarah St. George.  She is pictured cutting the opening ribbon alongside Deputy Prime Minister, Peter Turnquest and the University of The Bahamas President, Dr. Rodney Smith along with other invited dignitaries.(Photo courtesy of GBPA for Barefoot Marketing)

This new addition means that UB Students from West End to East End can eliminate their long commute by living on campus, as well as other family island and Nassau students seeking higher education in a less congested city. The newly opened Hall has 28 double and 28 single rooms, plus another two double rooms fully-equipped with handicapped access.(Photo courtesy of GBPA for Barefoot Marketing)

"Today these new dormitories should make the road a little shorter, and life a little more accommodating for eighty-six new young aspiring academics,” noted Sarah St. George, Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. “Especially important for the young ladies, as this also offers a safe and healthy living environment, complete with its own in-house Hall Director, a gym, computer lab, recreation room, laundry facilities, and cafeteria.”(Photo courtesy of GBPA for Barefoot Marketing)