Gov’t spending $290K to ‘improve’ airport terminal by November 30
The terminal at the Terrance B International Airport is slated to undergo some ‘interim improvements’ while government makes preparations for a much larger development effort at the Beef Island-based facility.
Premier Andrew Fahie said these improvements came at the recommendation of Brakkam Aviation Management, a global transportation-management consulting firm that the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) hired to assist with ‘decision-making and planning’.
“At an estimated cost of $290,300, the major components of these interim improvements are to the restrooms and ticketing areas, roof repairs to the passenger terminal, and the expansion and renovation of the international arrivals area,” he said in the House of Assembly on Friday, June 19.
Work is expected to be completed by November 30, this year. The Premier said “a pool of construction firms” are being utilised for the project.
“The tender documents … [are] currently being developed,” the leader of government business added.
Expansion of airport’s security checkpoint
In the meantime, Brakkam also recommended the expansion of the airport’s security checkpoint area. This will be done by reducing the size of the existing unoccupied restaurant space at the airport.
The Premier said the said space will be closed off from the terminal lobby and will be reconfigured to serve food and beverage on the passenger hold-room side only.
This move will make the restaurant more financially viable.
“Prior to Brakkam’s engagement, a restaurant operator was selected through a tender process, and Brakkam is working with Airport Administration to structure that concession agreement.
The plan is to have the space reconfigured and restaurant recommissioned by November 16, 2020,” Fahie said.
He continued: “Separately, Brakkam has worked in collaboration with Airport Administration to develop rates and charges for the opening of a new Airport VIP Lounge, and has developed and issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) [document] to solicit and engage a hospitality-sector entity with either airline-lounge, hotel, restaurant, or school-of-hospitality operational experience, to operate and manage the lounge on behalf of the BVIAA.
The deadline to submit the RFP is July 10.
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This terminal was not finished under the vip government.Where did the money go, they think we forget.
Thank you. It was them who build it and the damm roof was leaking from day one.
What happened to our schools and our infrastructure? Why are we throwing money away like this? It is so frustrating – our internet is appalling, our high school, and other schools still lay in ruins, sewer is pumped raw into the waters off Prospect, fresh water woes, sewer woes, archaic electric grid, the list could go on and on that NEED to be addressed ………… yet here we are STILL talking airport expansion and renewing our terminal to cater to more people yet we cannot even take care of our own, and what we have. Country is killing me with these poor decisions.
WHY?
Put $100 million into our schools and see what future generations can do for us! So much to be done that is so obvious to people yet remains unseen or ignored by our leaders! 🙁
can anybody tell me…why is this a priority right now? Massive improvements were recently done at the terminal to accommodate BVI Airways. Yes, there is always room for improvement but does this have to happen right now? People are still suffering and can’t get proper assistance up to now. The amount of mess my poor neighbor had to do to try to get a few dollars off her electric bill, she was better off leaving it alone. Why Why Why are we heading to nowhere
This is sad becuz salaries are being cut by 25% on top of a shitty salary but they are constantly pumping money into this building that cant even produce decent flights..they done spend a setta money redoing the VIP room that will never get use no time soon but quick to attack the lil man pay the ones benefitting is the ones that bread butter all on the brim already…sad asf
Swish executive airport for international drug dealers (businessmen) investors controlling our new marijuana cultivation activity.
Or is the new and improved airport for the high rollers arriving in private jets to throw dice!
And here I am begging my landlord for an ease on rent after you all announced a 25% pay cut to all staff for the next 3 months IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. Proud stuff
Really, what is wrong with our decision-makers? Nothing to benefit from this expenditure… Nothing… there is no flight and don’t expect there will be for a long time. And if there is there is MORE important infracture we need other than a fancied up airport!
Please improve the internal aesthetics and comfort for traveling public. Inside the airport looks and feel third world. No modern eateries, arrival and departure terminals not working, mosquitoes and flies are guests because the doors have to be kept open to keep the place moderately cool. Why isn’t the airport air conditioned? Right next door USVI Cyril King Airport a traveler can sit in comfort relax watch TV or eat and drink in the restaurant in comfort. These amenities at the Terrance Lettsome International Airport is nonexistent. With all the money these geniuses spend if spent correctly our airport should surpass USVI, St.Kitts, Anguilla, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados by far. Do your research and see how much each of the airports mentioned cost to build. Terrance Lettsome Airport doubles the cost of almost all of them, and we are rated at the bottom of the pile as far as amenities and interior aesthetics. This Administration and the past Administration have bamboozled us, spent our money with no accountability and we have no reprieve. Oh yes we do, AT THE VOTING BOOTH. God bless these beautiful Virgin Islands.