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HLSCC receives additional 134 acres of Crown land

More than 100 acres of addition Crown land has been given to the state-owned H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

Making the announcement in the House of Assembly on Thursday, Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley said the move is a victory for the HLSCC and residents of the territory on a whole.

“This government — the people’s government — responded to this decades-old request and granted HLSCC with 134 acres of Crown land on the 26th of September 2019,” Dr Wheatley said.

“This provides the college with lucrative assets which will provide a more positive picture of the institution’s financial status. The college will have the option of leveraging its assets in developing a viable business model. It will also allow the possibility for infrastructural development to assist the college in fulfilling its mandate,” the minister added.

With this additional land space available, Dr Wheatley said the college can now add dormitories, an auditorium, and a multipurpose complex to the school’s campus.

He said the college is now also able to expand operations at the college by increasing classroom space.

“[This could also result in] introducing higher-level degrees and even one day developing into a university. With the transfer of such assets, the possibilities are endless,” the minister argued.

More than one request

Dr Wheatley said additional land for the college is something requested more than two decades.

“Records show that over 22 years ago, the then President of the HLSCC, Dr Charles Wheatley wrote to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour as it was known at the time, requesting the transfer of Crown land to the college. An action which would help with the implementation of HLSCC’s master plan and facilitate the growth and development of the institution,” he said.

Dr Wheatley said for HLSCC President Dr Carl Dawson made a similar request some 11 years ago.

“This new government has done in seven months, what others were unable to do in 22 years,” Wheatley said.

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7 Comments

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  1. strupes says:

    Might as well because those farmers ain’t doing nothing sensible with the land

    Like 8
    Dislike 2
  2. Laura says:

    Absolutely brilliant idea!!!

    There however must be a comprehensive institutional reform with a focus on measureable student success.

    As many of the students may not be able to go overseas, let us strive for making this institution the engine for developing and training our local workforces, synced to the needs of the country on a whole. From technology to manufacturing, hospitality to engineering, more focus on partnering with local businesses to cultivate the skills that graduates need for the jobs that need to be filled.

    Dorms for International and sister island students would be a fabulous idea and a much needed boost to the economy.

    I look forward to see and hear the plans for this new ground breaking step forward.

  3. valued says:

    investing in education is the most valuable thing a government can do. Everything comes down to this. How BVI fares in the big wide world for clients, how she is governed and managed, how self-sufficient she is, how people from BVI can have a broad and deep range of opportunity.

    But is this a real investments of fiddling the balance sheet of an ailing institution?

    • Ausar says:

      I am overjoyed at such a prospective!

      Can I see in the future: graduate,
      vetinary,medical,dental and legal schools?

      How about schools in opthamology and optometry?

      Great, great news for the continued advancement in education, and the upliftment of our country!

  4. More Info needed says:

    Where is this crown land and what does it mean for agriculture?

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  5. vg RESIDENT says:

    So all of this land is really not needed, but will be used to show that the university has financial assets. To borrow more money?? Does the university have an endowment fund?

    Like 2
    Dislike 2

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