West End Port will be state-of-the-art, says BVIPA director
- Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Aerial view of new West End port facility. (Credit: CH2MHILL)
Wednesday, May 5 (GIS) – The Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mr. V. Victor O’Neal, has announced plans of the BVIPA to begin works for the new West End port facility very soon.
In an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Mr. O’Neal said, “The terminal will be a state-of-the-art facility. It demonstrates the BVI Ports Authority’s commitment to the Territory, in enhancing not only the local travelling experience, but also the experience of the international traveler.”
The Managing Director explained that persons travelling to and from Jost Van Dyke will have comfort, as the new facility will provide a covered terminal and waiting lounge with adequate seating.
“In addition, there will be accommodation for small landing craft type badges, to facilitate cargo movement to the surrounding islands,” said Mr. O’Neal.
South Elevation of new West End port facility. (Credit: CH2MHILL)
Ports Engineer with the BVIPA, Ms. Asiyah Grant, said that the new terminal will also cater to boaters, including provisions for mega yachts.
She said, “The Territory is known as the sailing capital of the world, and the BVI Ports Authority is seeking to enhance and upgrade our port facilities to provide the best possible service and accommodations for those customers transiting our ports.”
The first phase of the project involves the reclaiming and bulk heading of land along the coast. After that is completed, the building phase will commence. The facility was designed by the architects and engineers of CH2MHILL (formerly Gee and Jensen) in West Palm Beach, Florida, who have a long-standing relationship with the BVIPA. The entire building will be 75,390 square-feet, and have three levels.
The first floor will house the ticket agent stations, international arrival and departure terminals with luggage and conveyor belts, and a temporary storage facility for items to be picked up from ferries.
3. Hillside vantage point showing current West End port facility and area for new port. (Photo credit: BVIPA)
The floor will also include a separate arrival and departure terminal for domestic traffic and a post office substation.
The second floor will provide administration offices, and a restaurant space which will be leased and privately operated.
The last level will have quarters for the dock master and security guards. The new facility will also provide ample parking lots for short-term and long-term paid parking.
The West End port facility project is in line with the Government’s plans to improve and expand present port facilities in the Territory, and to have them in full compliance with international security and operating standards, as well as to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors.
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12 Comments
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if the terminal is going to be at the head of soper’s hole on the sand spit (and overlapping the fisheries protected area on frenchmans cay)– and the boat traffic, ferries, yachts, deliveries, day trips, etc come in and leave back and forth— what is going to happen with the moorings for the small pleasure boats which fill the harbor?? moorings will have to disappear in order for the big boats to negotiate.
the big boats will eventually chase out the small charter boats, the very visitors and businesses the “sailing capitol” is based on. pretty soon there will be no real place for the smaller boats to overnight. and the relaxed small sailor will be gone jeopardizing the economy. Have there been public meetings about the scope of this project? It will also interfere with quallity of life and noise and traffic for those living there. Frenchman’s Cay people will have to chose their time to come off pending the ferry schedule. the bridge will have to be wider, the roads will have to be changed, etc. has anyone thought about the details?? not whether we need a terminal or not. We do. the point is HOW and at what EXPENSE to life issues?
The picture does not take into account the surroundings either. It is unrealistic. The harbor is too small. this was not thought out. It will be a disaster if not planned better.
Yes I agree, nice plans but how will all this be funded. I am told that the Port Authority has a few million dollares put aside for ffuture development and to cover the cost of maintaining their facilities in the Territory. However, we are looking at a $25 million dollar project which will make it over $40 million by the time it is finished.
The last time this thing came up, I asked Tilford if he was going to spend all the money at West End and allow his folks including me to continue to sit on hard concrete while we await the arrival of the ferry to take us to Virgin Gorda. Many of us travel to St, Thomas, and oftime we like many, have to be processed in a squzzie building in Road Town and pushed outside until our ferry is ready to leave. The question I am asking is why are we spending all the money at West End and leaving the other points of entry unattended. This looks like foolishness to me.
When all is said and done, I might be wasting me breath, as there is no difference betweem Ralph and Fraser. I sincerely hope that the Governor will look into this as these people are not looking at the best intrest of the country.
The furture look bright for the port.However, the first concern where the boaters says he visit anually needs attention and I am praying that the organization will be well done not for today but for years to come god luck.
concerned citizen
great post as usual!
as someone who travels in and out of West End more than a 200 times a year on a small private charter boat I am slightly concerned that there was no mention of water based amenities, specifically docking. All that is focused on seems to be car parking, luggage storage and waiting areas. Why is there no mention of improved docking. I run a business as a single captain and boat but that still brings thousands of dollars of money into the BVI from USVI tourists. I would like to see a dock big enough to accommodate clearance of both a ferry and three or more small powerboats at the same time. As it is now when a ferry comes in we have to pull off the dock and wait until it clears, then we can dock again and try to clear before another ferry arrives. It is such a discredit to my guests, who simply want to enjoy what the BVI has to offer for a day, spend money and then leave.
This is a great idea! i look forward to it. I am hoping that there will be a place for the Tourist Board there, since the existing facility does not.
The government always full of dreams but never accomplish them. this will be in 2020
Great plan but ummmm, how do I put it , WHATS THE PRICE OF ALL THIS???? and how much are we paying to acquire any additional land for this hmmmm????
they dun cant get the hospital do. WAIT!!! lmao what happen to the queen elizabeth park ??? plus too they have up signs for road projects in sea cows bay and god knows whatelse wherever else and now comes the LONG TIME COMING ferry dock LOL… …u talkin bout $$$ and WHAT LAND???? WHE DEY GOIN FIT IT?? IT DONE AINT GOT NO PARKIN DOWN THERE MUSTLESS PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO TURN ROUND. then too, they talkinbout “international arrivals” oh my. DIS TOO FUNNY. like one poster said… THIS GOVERNMENT FULL OF DREAMS!
one minute they saying that country dont have money, the next minute……..
Nice plan!!….one think to consider is the constant rain now and then….therefore i suggest you make the front area (entrance) wider and with more shade….expand the front entrance so that as passenger enter and exit they wont be too soaked from the rain…..just an overview..other than that the plan looks great….width expansion is needed not length…..glad to see the work is on the way!!
Poey; no more fishing hole.
Government please think about a liesure fishing pier where people can carry their kiddies to catch a fish on a saturday afternoon!
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