Minister Congratulates Partners

Contractors have handed over keys, marking completion of the largest restoration project in the history of the Cayman Islands – the 13-month conservation and renovation of the Museum buildings. This week Minister McLaughlin took time out to congratulate those involved in the historic project.

“The continued strengthening of the cultural identity of the Caymanian people has received a major shot in the arm with the completion of the Museum restoration works. The building adds a modern facility to the Islands’ cultural amenities while at the same time preserving the foremost example of Caymanian architecture that the buildings represent,” said Minister Alden McLaughlin, under whose Ministry the project falls.

The Minister of Culture said further: “I am just absolutely delighted that the project has come through in a timely way, and that it has been completed within the adjusted budget.”

Some of that credit, the Minister said, must go to the push for a common umbrella for ministry projects to harmonise and integrate the distribution of resources. “And a key way of achieving that was through seconding the Ministry’s Facilities Manager Tommy Ebanks, who had oversight of inputs and services towards completion of this project.”

From his perspective, Chair Harris McCoy expressed his gratitude to the Government and all private supporters, including the Museum Board and staff, who understood the importance of a strong cultural heritage to the continued well-being of the Cayman Islands.

“The level of support and what we have been able to achieve is a demonstration of what a Museum has to be – a cultural beacon that serves to ground people and to bring them together. Things Caymanian should be respected and conserved, and those who have made this landmark achievement possible show their understanding and commitment to that goal,” Mr. McCoy said.

The Chairman said that the project had been a weighty board responsibility, with all the attendant anxieties of restoration works of this magnitude and significance. He said that the board and staff rose to the challenge, particularly noting the support, both personal and professional, of Board Facilities Committee Chair Architect Omar Mclean.

“The outcome did not come without challenges and we had our private moments of doubts, but we are all immensely proud of the outcome: It is now a beautiful, solid building, balancing that critical tension between preservation of an icon and the modernization needed to serve contemporary Cayman.”

Now, he said, “We are moving full steam ahead on all the necessary planning to restart and re-engineer a national Museum.”

Mr. McCoy joined the Minister in noting the significant contribution of the Ministry’s Thomas Ebanks, popularly known as Tommy.

It was Tommy’s job to balance and coordinate all the players, Mr. McCoy said. In addition to the board, there was a core group of professional consultants, including then Museum Director Anita Ebanks, now Acting Director Debra Barnes-Tabora, Deputy Director Doss Solomon, and Cuban conservationists, whose contribution was considerably supported by the professional expertise of Historical Preservation Architect Patricia Green of Jamaica. This core group paid attention to the historic preservation of the original structure, namely the wattle and daub construction, the old gaol and Old Court Room.

The technical team comprised Contractor Gordon McLaughlin, of Unit Construction, contractor’s agent Bruce Page and day-to-day site supervisor Everton Graham. On the structural side was Structural Engineer Matthew Manning, of Cayman Engineering Ltd., and MEP Consultant Arista Engineering, headed by Murray Woodgate. The mechanical contractor was Polar Bear, responsible for air conditioning and plumbing. ALS, headed by Fernando McLaughlin, was responsible for security (including fire protection) and computerized communication systems that will play a central role in the high-tech environment of the new Museum. No small task was assigned to Project Quantity Surveyor Leonard Prospere, of Cayman Surveying & Property Consultants Ltd. Mr. Prospere kept a handle on the project cost, which, given the age of the building and the eventual expanded scope of the words, did increase at each meeting. George Manderson, of GMJ Home Plans, prepared the plans.

Tommy put high value as well on a group of local gentlemen who aided the Museum team with traditional building techniques. These included William (Billy) Banker and Tony Powell, both of the West Bay Heritage Committee, and John Smith, of North Side. Expert guidance in this respect was also attained from Historical Preservation Architect Patricia Green.

“It was a pleasure to work with such a cohesive group,” particularly the Museum team “who brought their encyclopaedic knowledge to the project,” Tommy said.

A key figure even before all the teams were assembled was now senior assistant secretary in the Ministry of Health Leonard Dilbert, who was at that time involved at the Museum in preparing specifications for the important phase of selection of contractors and engineers to work on the project.

Once that phase was completed and the building started, Tommy became the man of the hour. For his part, he speaks of the “majesty” of the building, and the passion it inspired in him. Tommy had worked in the building straight out of school at age 16, in the Lands and Survey Department, housed in the building in pre-Museum days. “And to have been involved with restoring the building 26 years later, it gave me such great pride,” he said. “It’s a landmark,” not only for the Islands, but in his life, he said.

That enthusiasm in itself was the catalyst for harmonious working relationships. Praising Tommy’s ability to work in congruence with the diverse corps of players, Chair McCoy said: “Tommy shared the vision of all the players and then matched that vision with what could be achieved on the island,” ensuring that the project was in line with local building codes and the marketplace, and then devised how to make it all work.

Following the handing over of the keys, Acting Museum Director Debra Barnes-Tabora commented on her feelings about this landmark achievement: "It is an amazing feeling to see before me today, a 200-year-old, authentic two-storey structure completely and accurately restored and ready to embrace another century. To have witnessed its transition from a state of disrepair to one of pure regal beauty, is truly incredible, to say the least. “

Mrs. Barnes-Tabora said that the Islands now have a museum building “rich in character, utilizing ‘go green’ efforts, and filled with the latest technology to better serve our audience.”