2 months ago
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Mineral Heights in May Pen, Clarendon, will benefit from further urban development with plans by the Ministry of Education and Youth to build on 10 acres beside the trendy roundabout.
The Government recently sent out tenders seeking architects to design and plan the office complex which will span 27,000 square feet on the of land.
“Consequently, the National Education Trust, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Youth, is seeking to engage architect-lead consultancy firms,” according to the tender the ‘Procurement of Architect Led Professional Services for the Design and Construction Supervision of Region 7 Office Complex’.
The project is expected to take nearly three years from design to completion. The ministry has not yet provided cost estimates, when asked in mailed queries.
The complex will feature 34 offices, a library, a gym, sports facilities, daycare centre, a cafeteria, and other amenities. The design will also emphasise eco-friendly features, such as water harvesting, sanitation, energy efficiency, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Additionally, the facility will aim to maximise natural ventilation and lighting.
The proposed building will house 100 staff, double the current capacity, and will serve as the central hub for educational planning, administration, and strategy for Region 7.
The proposed project site is located adjacent to the Mineral Heights roundabout, bordered by the May Pen bypass Highway and Trenton Road, according to the tender document.
Recently, Mineral Heights has benefited from the newly opened Millennium Mall, developed by insurance provider and developer Sagicor. The mall serves local residents as well as staff from the nearby Jamalco alumina plant and other businesses.
This ministry’s project represents a significant upgrade from its current rented accommodations, which have struggled to meet capacity demands. Since its inception in 2020, Region 7 has operated from rented facilities at the Hotel Versalles, which is insufficient for its staff members, the ministry indicated.
“Since the splitting of the regional office, the operation of the minted Region 7 is being carried out in rented accommodations that has inadequate capacity to facilitate optimal operation of its 52 staff,” stated the document.
Region 7 is responsible for overseeing 109 schools, including five infant schools, 86 primary schools, and 18 secondary schools. Previously, Region 6 oversaw both Clarendon and St Catherine. The number of schools in Clarendon, however, necessitated the split.
The timeline for the project allows six months for the architectural design, followed by another six months for approvals, six months for hiring engineering firms and contractors, and 12 months for construction, totalling two and a half years without delays.
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