Robinson O’Neal school to be ready for September
From left: Education Minister Myron Walwyn, Principal Norma Creque, Benefactors David Johnson and wife, Premier Dr D Orlando Smith. and Ninth District Representative Dr Hubert O’Neal. (BVI News Photo)
The Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School on Virgin Gorda is set to receive a massive upgrade in time for the 2018/2019 academic year in September.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, David Johnson of the Oil Nut Bay North Sound Foundation announced that he is funding the entire reconstruction project.
Upon completion, the fully-functional, upscale smart school will be air-conditioned, equipped with a backup battery system, solar energy, a covered courtyard, and a concrete roof.
During last year’s hurricanes, the school lost portions of its roof, windows, doors, and furniture.
“What we are going to build is critical because it’s not just putting it [the school] back together,” Johnson said.
“It is designing and building a school that can stand the test of time.”
Teacher’s wish list fulfilled
According to Johnson, the school will be everything the teachers of the school hoped for.
“It went 30 percent over the budget by the time we get the wish list but if we are going to do it we better go all the way to fulfil the wish list,” he said.
The exact costing of the project was not revealed.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, Education Minister Myron Walwyn, District Representative Dr Hubert O’Neal were some of the dignitaries who also delivered brief remarks.
They all thanked the foundation for their ‘community spiritedness’ and delivering on the promise of giving back to Virgin Gorda, which is located in the Ninth Electoral District.
“We see this collaboration as an essential part of our rebuilding process,” Premier Smith said.
According to the country’s leader, the gesture marks an important moment in the history of the territory.
Creative Group BVI is undertaking reconstruction work.
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The rich white friends are jamming my boy.
Do these people think everyone else is just plain stupid? Is this charity? Think again. Is it currying favour, plain and simple. It’s the way things are done in the US. Is the Premier really going to be able to enforce anything against ONB? And who are Creative Group BVI anyway? Difficult to say as it’s deliberately hidden behind complex holding companies. I just don’t get why the Gov doesn’t jump in and control this stuff.
govt broke me son
So tell me how the same contractor get yet another one with an even shorter timeline than Lee Road….
We live in a BVI where people only remember what you did for them lately or what they want to remember but I was in primary school when Hon. Fahie had the businesses in the BVI adopt a school and Oil Nut Bay adopted Robinson O’Neal in VG. Although he will never be given any credit by the NDP, today look at the reward.
Thank you Mr Johnson thank you very much sir God bless you always.
Let us be thankful for people that are willing to help us. Government cannot do it all. Think of the children. Thank you Mr. Johnson and your team from ONB. Beautiful building!
People will always have a lot to say. I personally endorse the plan for the rebuilding of the school within my community. ONB / Necker/ Guana island ceo with the rest doing what they supposed to be doing. Building our schools and contributing to needed projects. I’m happy a local young contractor got the Job. The BVI doesn’t own those millionaires and billionaires anything but they owe it to the community to do what they can. I’m please to know the ROMP will be stronger greener and smarter then before.