Preparatory work resumes at new site for Trelawny Infirmary

 

By Kimone Witter 

 

 

Work has resumed at the new site for the Trelawny Infirmary after weeks of heavy rain stalled the preparation of land for the placement of four prefabricated containers.

 

The infirmary sustained extensive structural damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

 

Residents and staff of the infirmary, who were previously sheltering at the Hague Primary and Infant School, have been moved to the Elletson Wakeland Centre, a multi-purpose stadium in Falmouth.

 

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says $150 million will be spent to prepare the site and ready the containers for accommodation.

 

The work is estimated to be completed by March.

 

"The first phase of the work we're spending, I think, $65 million. And the second phase, which will include the building of the storeroom, the laundry facility, a room for the staff and an isolation facility which is required, will take up the second phase of the work. So this property, within another two to three months, we'll transform this, and you will see a total rebuild of the Trelawny Infirmary which was totally devastated by Melissa," he outlined. 

 

Mr. McKenzie said the lifespan of the prefabricated containers is 10 to 12 years.

 

He said the new site, located in close proximity to the damaged structure, will eventually host the new permanent infirmary, which he hopes will be constructed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.