Cayman Brac’s development drive marked a key milestone in March with the official handover of the Cayman Brac Accommodation Block — a purpose-built facility aimed at overcoming longstanding logistical challenges to infrastructure and education development on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Premier and Minister for District Administration and Lands Juliana O’Connor-Connolly described the new facility as a crucial step in supporting sustained and managed progress across the Sister Islands.
“We are not just opening a building, we are removing a long-standing barrier to development,” said O’Connor-Connolly. “By providing appropriate accommodations for skilled workers and visiting teams, we are saying that Cayman Brac is ready not just for growth, but for smart, managed progress that enhances the lives of our people.”
The 38-suite block will house construction teams working on the forthcoming Cayman Brac high school and gymnasium. The gymnasium will also serve as a national hurricane shelter capable of accommodating residents from all three Cayman Islands. The accommodation will further support visiting school and sports teams, enabling both inter-island and international events.
A former educator, the premier emphasised the value of education to the island’s future, citing Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Minister for Youth, Sports, Heritage and Home Affairs Isaac Rankine echoed this sentiment, quoting a phrase attributed to Harvard President Derek Bok: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
Rankine noted the project’s contribution to creating environments where youth can thrive and communities can flourish.
Acting chief officer for the Ministry of District Administration and Lands Wilbur Welcome highlighted the project’s role in addressing historical constraints.
“This facility helps remove the bottlenecks that have slowed down major infrastructure projects in the past,” he said. “It supports progress, not just by what it provides, but also by what it enables, including, faster timelines, more access to talent and stronger outcomes for the people of Cayman Brac.”
The 10,685-square-foot facility, comprising two single-storey buildings, is located beside the Cayman Brac Sports Complex on an 18.1-acre site and is built to hurricane-resilient standards.
This project follows the recent opening of the Spot Bay Community Centre and Watering Place Calisthenics Park, and builds on other initiatives, including community centres and the island’s only technology learning and development centre.
District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts praised O’Connor-Connolly’s leadership: “The Premier has delivered real, lasting improvements for Cayman Brac. These projects make a difference, and we are grateful for her commitment to our community.”
