Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse Refurbishment Complete
In the House of Assembly today [May 30], Minister of Public Works Patricia Gordon-Pamplin spoke about the completion of the Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse refurbishment project, saying the total cost was around $360,000.
Minister Gordon-Pamplin said, “The Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, one of Bermuda’s most historic and recognizable tourist attractions, has for the past few months undergone a major repainting and refurbishment project.
“The works which were long overdue have now been completed and the lighthouse has been restored to its former glory and is once again open to the public as our tourism season gets into full swing.
Work in progress:
“The intent was to complete these works over the winter period so that the lighthouse would only be closed for part of the tourism off season. However, this is also the worst time of year to do such works as the winter weather guarantees high winds and rain,” continued the Minister.
“Whilst the contract, which started on January 6, was planned to be completed by March 31, the weather caused significant delays and the works were finally completed on the May 16.”
Update: Recent photo of the Lighthouse by Pierangelo Lanfranchi
“The initial contract for the works was for a total of $334,211, made up of $299,691 for the main structure and $34,520 for the observation deck and railings.
“There were two subsequent change orders for the project, one for $9,450 for modifications to the paint for certain areas of the structure and $20,655 for clean up of the site as there was significantly more dust and debris than expected.
“In addition to the works on the structure itself, works to the grounds and car park have been completed and the only outstanding works are some signage and mobile restrooms with handicap accessibility.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise this morning to announce that the Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, one of Bermuda’s most historic and recognizable tourist attractions, has for the past few months undergone a major repainting and refurbishment project. The works which were long overdue have now been completed and the Lighthouse has been restored to its former glory and is once again open to the public as our tourism season gets into full swing.
Built in 1844 by the Royal Engineers, the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is the taller of two lighthouses on Bermuda, and one of the first lighthouses in the world to be made of cast-iron. This is because at that time, steel still was not able to be bent. While it is not extremely tall by lighthouse standards with only 185 steps to the top, the hill that it stands on is one of the highest on the Island.
Airplanes can see its flashes from over 100 miles [160 km] away. Many a fisherman who has been offshore at night has been comforted by the regular flash of the light letting them know they weren’t far from home. Until 1964, the light was run by hand, but in June of that year, the whole system was automated and has run on electricity ever since.
Mr. Speaker, six contractors were approached and asked to tender for this project and only two did. The contract was in two parts with a contractor responsible for the preparation and painting of the main structure and another contractor responsible for the preparation and painting of the observation deck and guard railings.
The intent was to complete these works over the winter period so that the lighthouse would only be closed for part of the “tourism off season”. However, this is also the worst time of year to do such works as the winter weather guarantees high winds and rain.
Whilst the contract, which started on January 6, was planned to be completed by March 31, the weather caused significant delays and the works were finally completed on the May 16. The lighthouse itself was closed but the public still had access to the restaurant whilst the works were being carried out.
Mr. Speaker, the initial contract for the works was for a total of $334,211 made up of $299,691 for the main structure and $34,520 for the observation deck and railings. There were two subsequent change orders for the project, one for $9,450 for modifications to the paint for certain areas of the structure and $20,655 for clean up of the site as there was significantly more dust and debris than expected.
In addition to the works on the structure itself, works to the grounds and car park have been completed and the only outstanding works are some signage and mobile restrooms with handicap accessibility.
Mr. Speaker, many of you will have seen the rust stained eyesore that the lighthouse had become as its maintenance had been neglected for many years. I would encourage you to go and take a look at it today, as it really has been restored to its former glory and is open and ready for the tourist season.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-
Fantastic , that light has been sweeping over my head for fifty years ,it has been a comfort for land and sea.
What a lovely sight, to see Gibbs Hill Lighthose restored to it’s splendor, it is wonderful.
A Million thank you’s to the OBA for restoring this truly Bermudian landmark. The PLP took 14 years to turn it to a rusting mess, the OBA 1 1/2 to make it look the way it should, beautiful.
sweeping over
Ian Hunter, you really need to get out more…….get a life mate……….
Sorry that you don’t agree, you are entitled to your own opinion. At least I can and will put my name to my comments. In Bda like every where else 42% will agree 42% will not and the rest will flip flop back and forth.
How the hell can those that ticked “dislike” come to that ridiculous conclusion?
looks like a good job…i’m glad the rails have been attended to…now we can lean and reach over them with out fear , yippeee!!well done Men…i’d personally like to see more colors..maybe Bermuda written vertically on the Port n Starboard sides…in their perspective color of course…jus sayin’
w0w!…really??nothing but dislikes…hmph!
It was fantastic to spend an evening having dinner under the new and improved lighthouse, truly magical. Thank you to all who had something to do with bringing this icon of Bermuda back to life!
Thank you OBA, you are moving us forward, the lighthouse looks fantastic..
Thank you OBA.
This edifice was previously an international beacon marking the numerous failures of the PLP.
Thankfully we now have a Government that priorities Bermuda’s interests ahead of the no-bid PLP paradigm that previously sought to reward themselves over our fellow taxpayers and voters.
Keep up the good work!
She’s looking sexy.
Looks very good..should have been done years ago too!
Nice, time to go bun a spliff at de old perch!
I live right next to the lighthouse and PLP did maintain it. It wouldn’t even take 2 years for it to look rusty like it did 6 Months ago!
I bet you this OBA government will not “maintain” this country to RUIN.
You obviously did go up to the top in recent years to see the rusting railings at the top. They were in bad shape and left to become hazardous. It was in need of a major renovation and the PLP just failed to address it until it became so bad it was clear for everyone to see that too. Just like a house if left long enough it becomes an eyesore, if kept up over time not a major problem.
Don’t tell them that they hated the PLP even before they were the government they hated me even before they saw me so sad 2014 nothing changed same sh*et different century SMDH racist Bermuda
yeah…….
I don’t know what side of the Lighthouse you live on, but it must be a different side to the one I do. That lighthouse was surely NOT maintained for a very long time.
Doc….the PLP did a sloppy, cheap, typical amateur job of painting it a few years ago. No, Doc, I think that light is shining in your eyes and you can’t see that the OBA is pulling your butt out of this sewer your boys dumped us in
And I too live near the light….difference is that I see the light
It looks nice – this Tourism icon should have been finished 2 months ago –
in actual fact the maintenance to this wonderful land mark should have been done 3 years ago.
No more mobile restrooms,their cost is too high!!!!!They are really the worst case senario…and one by one should be replaced…..placement of perminant facilities would be easier and cheaper to maintain,placement of a storage take that can be emptied or oroper pit if desired….for inexpensive building and placement ergonomicly place facilities call “On the go building and maintenance”, today!
Tellem dingleberry squid sent you.
The work had very little to do with the OBA or PLP. It was the LOCAL BERMUDIAN contractor that set the stage for good work and this contractor has provided excellent work from day one. So don’t keep putting politics into the mix. We have some excellent LOCAL BERMUDIAN contractors that just know their job. No foreign consultants were need to do us PROUD. This can be said for the Wedco CCTV camera project which has been hailed a success while we wait for the delivery of the Police CCTV which has not gotten media coverage regarding progress.
Thanks to all those involved in getting the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse looking new again.
“Truth Seeker”???!! Ian Hunter is speaking right from his Heart! He is spot on! You are the one who needs “get a life” in seeking to have empathy and kindness, and a higher “truth” than just having to spout-off by denigrating a gracious person innocently speaking his feelings!
Fantastic news. This lighthouse has assisted many a seaman over the years.
Yes Commodore JB. After a long journey of yachting amongst the our other jetset friends, when I see the lighthouse I know I am home and that it is time to relax with my fellow yachtsmen at BBIRYC.
Commodore. I use the lighthouse as a navigation aid everytime I come back from lobster diving and spear fishing wearing my very tight, for fitting wet suit.
The lighthouse is done,two weeks from now there will be something else in the discussion cereal bowl.In the mean time I will glorify in the fact that we have our beautiful lighthouse back.
If you concentrate on the stars you will miss all the heavenly glory…….Bruce Lee.
This cost could be lowered by purchase of scaffolding purpose intended,hanging scaffolding for bridges and a set maintenance shedule .Also a team of specialists for specific tasks to do with bridges and lighthouses and ferries sandblasting and painting .The regular sheduling from one task to the other being more cost effective than full on repair.