Bahamas Information Services Updates
BTVI Breaks Ground For SMART Classroom Block
By Betty Vedrine
Aug 26, 2016 - 5:52:29 AM

Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald delivers remarks during a ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking for the new SMART classroom block at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). The ceremony was held on the campus grounds on Thursday, August 25, 2016. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has broken ground for a new wing on the school’s campus. A ceremony was held on Thursday, August 25, to commemorate the occasion. In attendance was Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald. The Minister said that he was excited to be a part of this latest development in the institute’s history.

“This is indeed a proud moment for our country,” said Minister Fitzgerald. “The expansion of this facility will raise the profile not only of the school but also the country.”

Minister Fitzgerald also thanked the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, who was also in attendance, for his commitment to education and for making provisions in the country’s budget, which permitted the expansion.

“I wish to thank the Prime Minister and the rest of my Cabinet colleagues, who have supported the expansion of education in the country,” he said. “As the Minister of Education, I do my part but it is the Minister of Finance who really ensures that the budget can accommodate projects like this.”

Also in attendance was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development, the Hon. Philip Davis.

The new 6,600 square-foot classroom block will feature two stories, housing eight SMART classrooms, two information technology labs, a staff room and bathroom facilities.  The block will also feature a Disabled Lift, a standby generator, and thermosafe panels (walls, floors and roof will be fully insulated to reduce cooling costs).  The building is designed to include provision for future solar connection (the potential exists for it to become a fully green building).

In addition, the new block will include a separate restroom facilities block -- all disabled compliant.

The Architect for the project is Victor Cartwright of Architects Associates and the Contractor is Jim Boucher of Commonwealth Construction.  It is anticipated that the new block will be completed in six months.  The complex comes at a cost of $2.3 million.

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