Steel firms have united to rebuild Enis Adams Primary School in Tortola which was destroyed at the end of last year, following the devastation caused in the British Virgin Islands by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Christchurch-based John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) is spearheading a group of UK businesses that have joined forces with a great line-up of companies to help rebuild the Primary School, following the devastation which lashed the region last year.
REIDsteel are a longstanding customer of Tata Steel and we were delighted to be considered to be part of the UK-based team in the challenge to support the community of Tortola and help restore the Primary School to better than before condition. Our ComFlor® and Colorcoat® products will contribute greatly to the rebuild..
REIDsteel are specialists in disaster-resistant buildings, and all 26 of their buildings in the area survived the hurricanes with only superficial damage. REIDsteel has been shipping Tata Steel products around the globe for use in a wide variety of applications such as large commercial buildings and schools.
Tata Steel products used in the reconstruction of the school include our [ComFlor® 46] composite steel floor decking and Colorcoat® pre-finished steel products for construction of the school’s roof, including [Colorcoat Prisma®] in White for the external weather face and Colorcoat® PE in Bright White was used for the internal side.
Martin Shackell said: “REIDsteel are a longstanding customer of Tata Steel and we were delighted to be considered to be part of the UK-based team in the challenge to support the community of Tortola and help restore the Primary School to better than before condition. Our ComFlor® and Colorcoat® products will contribute greatly to the rebuild.”
A year on and starting to take shape
November 2018: Steelwork for the hurricane torn school starts its 4,000 mile journey. Four 40’ containers loaded with steelwork are now making their way to the island of Tortola, and another three more will follow in the coming months.
As well as the designing and manufacturing the steelwork for the new school to withstand 185 mile per hour winds and earthquakes based on Unified Building Code Occupancy Category III and IV, REIDsteel has been instrumental in making the project happen by recruiting the help and support of their suppliers.
Main contractor in Tortola, Newton Construction Co Ltd has been working with REIDsteel for 34 years and is leading the construction work and will erect the steelwork. The arrival of the first shipment of steelwork will allow the school to start to take shape. Hesketh Newton, managing director said: “We have made good progress so far and the new school will really begin to take shape with the arrival of the steelwork.
Virgin Islands businessman Peter Haycraft, a longstanding client of REIDsteel, pledged $1m of his own money for the school reconstruction to help the local community.
The first ground has been broken for the reconstruction of the school, which will feature state-of-the-art classrooms with smart boards, computer suites, library, solar panels, wheelchair access and therapeutic suit for instruction of specially gifted children.
Opening: The school is due to open in September 2019.
Quite a line-up
As well as Tata Steel, other companies involved in the reconstruction organised by REIDsteel include National Tube Stockholders, Joseph Ash Galvanising, Euroclad, Ayrshire Metal Products, BAPP, Powell Gee & Co Ltd, Kestrel Liner Agencies and Meachers Global Logistics. Others involved AEMC Architectural Services, Civil Engineer AEC Consulting Engineers Ltd, Electrical Barry’s Electrical Services, Reliable Plumbing, S & D Security, and the British Virgin Islands Ministry of Education and Culture.
For more details on the project team and who was involved visit www.reidsteel.com