Soaked benches at Trellis Bay rest stop spark public criticism
The newly constructed Trellis Bay rest stop, described as a “symbol of progress” by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, has come under heavy public criticism after benches at the facility were drenched following a recent downpour.
A Facebook post addressing the issue drew dozens of responses before it was deleted. “It didn’t even rain that hard, and everything is soaking wet,” the post read.
Residents expressed disappointment over the design and functionality of the structure, which was intended to provide a comfortable shelter for travellers.
One social media user described it as “a complete insult to local people and tourists alike.” They went on to blame poor planning, saying, “The government threw money at this… but somehow, no architect, engineer, or even local sailor could tell them ‘this will get wet.’”
Another user suggested simple modifications, stating, “All they need to do is add some walls with louvres; then they have the airflow but still keep the rain out.”
However, frustrations extended beyond the structure’s design, with one person arguing, “It’s not a shelter if you’re getting wet under it!”
The rest stop, completed by No Limit Construction Services for $271,279.67, was hailed by the government as a much-needed improvement for the area, which serves as a critical hub for inter-island travel. Previously, passengers often sought shelter under trees or improvised seating arrangements.
Despite its intended purpose, the facility’s open design and lack of protective measures have raised concerns about its practicality. One commenter remarked, “Whoever approved this design to face towards the sea, plus nothing to block the weather, was just in it for the money.”
Lack of amenities
Criticism also included the lack of basic amenities, with a resident pointing out that the facility is “built in the ocean, right on the shoreline” and lacked important amenities like ticketing offices or proper restrooms.
Premier Wheatley had described the rest stop as a reflection of the territory’s commitment to enhancing tourism infrastructure. However, Opposition member Myron Walwyn had previously slammed the project, labelling it a “matchbox” that fails to meet the needs of travellers.
“If you’re going to do something, do it properly and be done,” a commenter echoed, adding that the facility’s design doesn’t align with common sense for the local weather conditions.
While some defended the effort as better than nothing, many called for a more robust approach to public infrastructure projects.
“Can we screw our heads on the right way and demand better? The government runs roughshod over its citizens, makes a laughing stock of them and we say it doesn’t matter,” one user wrote. “This is a small shelter, a simple thing; it should be watertight and comfortable in any weather except a severe storm.”
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is no investment in the BVI National Parks. I saw a post on Facebook about the USVI holding a public meeting to discuss the new trails and Mooring balls they are installing in 2025.
In the BVI places like Prickly Pear have no Mooring balls, no bar/restaurant that is open every day. Now just fences on the beach stopping everyone but Cruise Ship passengers from using the National Parks best beach. And the dock the government built 2 years ago are falling apart. It all looks like crap.
BVI tourism from charter boats brings in people that want to come ashore and spend money. They eat at restaurants, drink at our bars and shop in our grocery stores AND THEY TIP!
The hiking trails are all grown over and unusable. This is simple bush cutting. We are ignoring fundamental investments in the government owned tourism product. The USVI is budgeting for this stuff and getting it done. We need leadership here in the BVI to keep us competitive with our neighbors in the Caribbean.
Tourists have a choice. The BVI need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask are ask attractive as our neighbor island destinations? If not, what can we do to fix this? Stop this ‘we the best’ crowing and come up with a real plan to make this place better.
And you can’t stay dry ridiculous !
Symbolic of the Territory’s (lack of) capabilities. Now there will be a series of (expensive) fix ups. First, it’ll be enclosed. Then, it will need air conditioning, lack of building maintenance will lead to moisture accumulatation and there’ll be mold issues.
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Will that ever be learned?
They just could have built it much better. There is a lot of things that were not factored in with building that structure…the effects of the weather, sustainability, crowd capacity, etc. That thing looks like it was supposed to be an underground bunker. Your Premier has it that negative criticism is the reason we on Fodor…nah things like this mess, poor infrastructure, lack of water, overgrown bush EVERYWHERE, crater-ridden roads, poor salary wages, and the list of failures goes on!
Never mind this small piece of pork. Try driving East from anywhere on the island.
The builder will blame it on the designs they were given, but that is no excuse for all that standing water in the middle of the slab.
Last week I saw the tap in the mens sink was so loose you couldn’t turn it on, and the urinal was out of order / covered over.
It’s only been open a few weeks and already there are maintenance issues (or possibly poor build quality issues)
When I’m waiting for the boat at Trellis I’m more comfortable under the trees. It is an very lowdown project
Just Drill on some adjustable umbrellas the heavy duty one and the problem will be fixed
Story of BVI government building since the 60’s. Why?
How about surrounding this ‘shelter’ with hi tech awnings and maintaining the entire ‘shelter’ until destroyed by a hurricane.
I just can’t get over the fact that this little 2 x 4 structure cost 271,000. How? How? And what rain. We have only had drizzle since the last heavy showers in November.
Everyone just seemsmto accept that figure. Unbelievable and actually outrageous
Who would accept something like that for $270,000. Lock them up, to damm thief.
Granted that the structure is in my view architecturally poorly designed, I believe it is better than nothing.
Yes…it rained and the chairs got wet (and potentially people), but I would not go as far as to degrade the entire project.
Now that the rain has exposed this vulnerability, perhaps the area can now be enclosed with up and down water proof roller shades.
I get that the designer wanted to have the area opened as people await the ferry but clearly when it rains that’s a problem.
IMO, a simple fix would be to install some water proof roller shades on all exposed sides that can be pulled down when the rain falls and rolled up on sunny days. They are inexpensive. Problem solved.
I really don’t know what you mixed your feelings with!!
It’s a New Year. Chill. You folks complain about every darn thing under the sun. If you did not understand what I wrote, let me briefly summarize:
I don’t care for the buildings architectural design but the building is better than nothing.
The complaints about the water on the chairs is minor and an easy fix as I suggested could be done.
Some of you just like to complain. You live to complain. This stuff is inconsequential to me and should be to others.
Complaining about it does not pay any of my bills. It’s just a building for God’s sake. No one died.
I don’t know why the Government would be singing their praises for building that Match Box, which was poorly designed and too small from the beginning. The space is there that it could be three 3 times the size with a better design to keep both the sun and rain out. From the first day I saw the lay out of the building, I asked myself what are they really building and to be honest over priced. Governement just continue wasting Tax payers money when it comes to our development in almost every building or projects they set out to build. I don’t know when we are going to get serious about our infrastructer and the development of our terriorty .
We need to stop this ignorance.
If it was facing West, there would be noise about afternoon sun, if it was facing North there would have been noise about the airplanes and aircraft noise. If it was South it would be the garbage bins and the commercial traffic to badges.
The inital issue there was nothing period! Just thank God for something, and let the guests enjoy the seabreeze!
Bigger fish to fry.
It was only a matter of time before the goat shed sprung a leak.
All I will say is that the politicians need to put forward ideas but step away and allow the technocrats to implement them, or else with political interference it’s doom to fail, I heard Myron walwyn critique of that facility that is dubbed by premiere Wheatley as cutting edge, and to some extent Mr Penn also back the premiere assertion, now egg in their faces, walwyn pronouncement stands the test of time.
INSTALL A WIDE CANOPY AND AN OUTDOOR DECK AROUND THE BUILDING, PROBLEM SOLVED.