Bahamas Was Funded by the NIB

April 15, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 8 APRIL 15th, 2012 Contract signed for $12 million health care facility On April 10 the Abaco Commu- nity Health Care Facility’s contract was signed. Coastline Construction and Devel- opment Company Ltd. was the company with the winning bid. The official signing ceremony took place on the grounds where the construction of the new health care facility is to begin shortly. The Prime Min- ister, Minister of Works, and Minister of Health were among the government offi- cials present at the signing ceremony. The contract is for $11,969,280.60 and work is to be completed over a 60-week period. The health care facility, which was designed by New Providence-based archi- tectural firm Alvin K.Rolle & Associates, was presented as a state-of-the-art property to the hundreds of business and community leaders in attendance. It will be a single storied building sprawling out over approximately 32,000 square feet includ- ing auxiliary buildings to house a morgue and equipment. It was designed to reflect traditional colonial characteristics. Island Administrator, Cephas Coo- per, delivered opening remarks and acted as the master of ceremonies. The signing Please see Contract Page 5 Funds raised for Lowe House Abaco brings home gold Rotary, Pilot, Scurvy Few and other civic clubs join together for a good cause from CARIFTA Above: A pensive young girl weighs her options for the lollipop-draw. This game, and others, were among the attractions that day. For the full story see page 2. Requested Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, PAID Above: Elroy McBride and Shane Jones arrive home from the CARIFTA games which 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart are being held in Bermuda this year. Part of The Bahamian track and field team, these PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The young athletes hail from Moores Island. See page: 11 Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew Page 2 Section A The Abaconian April 15, 2012 Central Abaco rounds of hoopla. property had been condemned and become Jo-Ann Bradley, current President of Civic clubs raise The Lowe house, one of the original valueless overnight. The Lowe family has the Rotary Club of Abaco, worked hard structures in Spring City built during the suffered from illness and has been unable along with the rest of her club to make money for logging-days, was the focus of “Love for to maintain gainful employment. this fundraiser a reality. She expressed the Lowes.” The Lowe family needed to Hearing of the Lowe family’s plight, how happy she was with the participation, Lowe House make necessary repairs to their home and “This is the first time I’ve ever known all requested a loan to complete the work. The the civic clubs on Abaco to pull together to On March 31, 2012 the Rotary Club loan was approved. However, the fam- help one family.” Everyone involved pro- of Abaco partnered with The Scurvy Few, ily hired an unscrupulous contractor who duced a herculean effort. Interact Clubs went to work After picking up their steak dinner, and the Anchor laying down gourmet hot dog or hamburger, patrons and Pilot clubs. cement on the were invited to the grounds behind the An- On the grounds old wooden glican Hall were game and drink booths of the Anglican floors and were set up. Visitors that day would also Hall in Marsh leaving the job run into Reg Patterson, the tireless raffle- Harbour the Above: hefty steak dinners were served to unfinished af- master, who made sure that everyone who groups spent everyone who bought a ticket. People lined ter the house wanted a chance at the several, valuable the day grill- up to get their fixings. Throughout the day was inspected. prizes had a chance at buying a ticket. ing, serving many people who had a ticket stopped by The inspec- Children were entertained by the bouncy steak dinners, for a meal to go. All money raised went to tion revealed castle, hoopla and lollipop guessing games. hosting games the Lowe House Project. the structure Adults in the crowd had entertainment as and doing other of the building several civic and charitable clubs on Aba- well. activities. had been com- co decided to organize the “Love for the Though the day had its share of fun They were promised. Lowes” event. Tickets were sold for the and entertainment, more money still needs raising funds Their steak dinners and people were encouraged to be raised. If you want to donate to the for Angela and house was to visit the event for more fun that was Lowe House Project please contact the Ro- Brent Lowe suddenly planned for the day. tary Club of Abaco or any of the organiza- whose home in made worth- The Pilot Club and Anchor Club sold tions mentioned. Spring City has less. In order cakes and desserts to those in the steak line fallen into dis- to finish the who had a sweet tooth. The Scurvy Few repair. Starting crucial repairs helped set up the tents and booths and su- at noon, and the Lowe fam- pervised some of the children’s games such News that needs lasting through- Tickets were sold beforehand for the steak ily needed to extend as the bouncy castle. out the day, hungry dinners. However, patrons could buy tick- reporting? Tweet at or their mortgage. To Interact members, the youth branch crowds stopped by ets to participate in any of the games or for Facebook extend their mort- of the Rotary Club, also came out to help the Anglican Hall to drinks and cakes. Above: Steve Davis and gage they needed man the booths. It should be noted that The Abaconian pick up their steak Debbie Curry smile and sell tickets. to finish repairs to these students took time out of their holi- dinner, order one with details. bring value back to day weekend to support the cause. The Ro- of the Rotary Club their house in order to back the loan. How- tary Club of Abaco also helped organize of Abaco’s specialty burgers or play a few ever, this was now impossible since the and staff the event. [email protected] April 15, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Page 4 Section A The Abaconian April 15, 2012 April 15, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 Central Abaco Contract From Page 1 specialists in and the possibilities of per- sive cavities under the grounds of the new official groundbreaking, there a junkanoo of this contract, he said, “marks another forming outpatient surgeries. Administrative Building and health care rush-out by students from Abaco Central red letter day for the people of Abaco.” The keynote address was brought by facility, “regrettable,” eliciting a chuckle High School. He thanked the attending heads of govern- the Right Honourable Hubert Ingraham. from the crowd. ment, religious leaders and others who had He reflected on the growth of Abaco and He reminded Coastline Construction a critical role in the process. the resilience of its economy compare to that 60 weeks was the deal. He asked that, Edison Key, the Member of Parlia- other family islands. “You’ve led the way, as part of the deal, Coastline access local ment for Central and South Abaco ad- in many ways,” he materials and services on Abaco as much dressed the crowd. “Abaco’s time has said. He also said “You’ve led as is possible. Twenty to thirty young peo- Pictured below: Alvan Rolle, Project Ar- there was “growing ple will also be trained on-site as part of a chitect; Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham; come,” he said in reference to current and the way, planned government projects on Abaco. recognition of your government initiative. the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis; the Hon. He continued, “The expenses will pay importance,” within in many The Rt. Hon. Ingraham also an- Neko Grant; Cephas Cooper, Senior Is- dividends 100 fold.” Before closing his central government. ways,” nounced plans for the eventual creation of land Administrator; and Edison Key; Keith remarks he told The same fa- a new township in Marsh Harbour that will Knox, Coastline Construction Company cility which is be- encompass the new government complex, Ltd; Algernon Cargill, director NIB; Pat- “Abaco’s time those gathered, “The future is ing constructed in health care facility and will reach to Cen- rick Ward, chairman NIB; Rev. Etienne has come ... ours to create.” Exuma is costing $2 million more than the tral Pines. “The bank that wants the gov- Bowleg, deputy chairman NIB. one in Abaco. The Prime Minister tied this ernment’s business,” he said, “will come The future is The project is funded by to more efficiencies and the lower cost of to this part of town.” ours to the National In- doing business in Abaco. On the topic of Closing the ceremony was the sign- create.” surance Board. costs, the Prime Minister called the exten- ing of the contract. After the signing and Patrick Ward, the chairman of the NIB, was present to deliver remarks. The first community clinic in The Bahamas was funded by the NIB. This first clinic is, in fact, the current facility in Marsh Har- bour. The new health care facility will be the twenty second health center the NIB has funded as part of its initiative of de- livering a greater investment to The Baha- mian people.

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