Dockyard Building Receives America’s Cup Refit
The West End Development Corporation [WEDCO] has been able to restore one of Dockyard’s historic buildings and find an America’s Cup tenant to call it home.
“Badly damaged by hurricanes, the refurbished Building #9 now houses the gym, sail loft and offices for Oracle Team USA [OTUSA], thanks to the contributions of multiple local contractors over the last several months”, a spokesperson said.
“WEDCO has an ongoing plan to upgrade the buildings in Dockyard,” says Andrew Dias, General Manager for WEDCO. “The beauty of the America’s Cup is that we had an instant tenant and we’ve been able to accelerate the process of restoring this and other buildings.”
Oracle Team USA Team members now utilising the space include administrators, designers and the sailors themselves.
“It’s a really nice spacious facility and it’s pretty unique,” says Ian Stewart, Operations Manager for Oracle Team USA. “We feel privileged to be here and hopefully we’ll be leaving behind something of value for the people of Bermuda.”
The renovations to the building, including roof and window repairs, were to first make the building water tight, then repair some interior water damage and fit the building out for occupancy, including all plumbing, electrical, flooring, fire systems and more.
“As with the other work being done in Dockyard for the 35th America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton, the restoration of Building #9 has been carried out by a large number of local sub-contractors,” says Mike Winfield, CEO of ACBDA. “Of course in the restoration of a historic building like this there is the double benefit of providing economic opportunity to Bermudian businesses and at the same time creating a legacy benefit to Bermuda as a whole.”
Building #9 is located directly behind the Clocktower building in Dockyard and is the same size as its more famous neighbour. The original architectural and maritime features have been retained and restored, preserving the historical value of the building.
“The work that has been done, both on the exterior and the interior, is second-to-none,” continues Mr Dias. “I think it is something that all Bermudians will be able to take pride in.”
is this evidence of the trick down effect? this story needs to be buried – jobs apparently were created; there will be an asset left behind when the AC teams leave; and monies are now being collected in the form of rent…
*trickle*
You said it right the first time
I must agree with you guys the Larry Burchall CFA PhD and Sir John Jp Mp Trickle Down theory seems to be stalling – what happened to the 2,000 jobs and why are Cabinet Ministers still driving those blue cars with different license plates and not their personal cars, please tell me its not because the blue cars have their gas paid for by the Austerity Broke BDA Govt? tell me it aint so
Cant wait for the investigation on Greece and P.L.P comes up.
funny
OK, great – now make sure that when the AC is over that this building is not neglected but used for small businesses, micro-businesses connected with sailing in order to leave a lasting legacy
This looks fantastic!! Now please do the same to the Victualling Yard buildings near the Frog and Onion. These buildings are so beautiful but look like such a disgrace to Bermuda!! They are full of waste and are actually extremely dangerous, wtih anyone able to walk in and injure themselves.
Please restore the beauty to Dockyard!! This is the first thing that many of our visitors see, and they see it day in and day out on their visits here. The Airport can wait, we only spend a couple of hours in it during a stay here, but the view for the cruise ship visitors is so important, and is so lacking.
Amazing how certain people can find money…..resources….and the will to do certain things for certain people.ummmmmm any will left to help the poor people or struggling poor..??????..its called pulling a rabbit out of a hat.Or is called……Old….Business….As …usual.Used to be United Business Politics …….oops sorry …Poli-tricks.
I’ve been trying to find a similar comment from you on the money spent on the Conference of Black Mayors. I can’t see where you objected to this. Can you help me out?
At least here local contractors were employed to carry out renovations, equipment purchased locally, rents being collected and we have a valuable long term asset. What did we get for the Conference of Black Mayors? The finger.
As stated by H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia,(1930-1974)to the United Nations: “Until the colour of a mans skin is of no-more significance than the colour of his eyes, there will be war.”
Far too many are / have been playing the race card for far too long! Wrong is wrong, but right is no-ones wrong. If there are issues that need be brought to the forefront then let it be done so as we can move on, (united)in the same direction.
I can say Money, is not the issue.
I like many have heard “Money is the Root of All Evil”
I never understood how a ‘man made’ thing could be the root cause of evil.
Money is neither racist, nor does it discriminate
@ Jus’ Askin, it’s the LOVE of money, and no money is not racist nor discriminate, but those who have been Historically in control of it are and do.
Do I need to elaborate more… I think you’re smart enough.
Money has no Master.
It is a tool like a hammer.
It can help construct or destruct.
When You are a Slave of a Slave, You have no Chance to Advance.
The only way to win the Game is Not To Play.
So how is this statement relevant to the issue ?
It’s called creating enployment.
Money was found in the form of rents being paid by the new tenant and the additional benefit of Team Oracle hiring local contractors to fit out their new office space which they’ve already suggested would be enjoyed by future occupants.
This isn’t a difficult accounting exercise, however, your pessimism is understood given the PLP’s horrendous track record of throwing taxpayer money around on insider deals and Beyoncé vanity projects.
The people who found this money are in no way responsible for the poor of this island. The responsibility for that rests in a bunch of certain people who ran this island into the ground.
This is the result of INVESTMENT, not charity to the struggling poor. The former provides a return, in the form of rent. The latter is simply a handout. No return.
So there where no poor people prior to 1998?
There was nil unemployment. Anyone who wanted two jobs could get them.
I think you’re confused, so you are saying everyone that has worked and still working are not poor ?
There was nil unemployment then, and 5,000 unemployed by the time the PLP had finished. Is that easy enough to understand?
Haha,, so there was no poor people before 1998, and their was no unemployment.. Mercy, some people will tell you the sky is purple, you just looking at it the wrong way.. Lol,, Once can’t make this stuff up. As a supporter of the PLP, yes the party made a hell of a lot of mistakes during their tenure as the Government, yes they did, but to imply that all of Bermuda’s problems started in 1998 is fraudulent at best.
Er, there was no unemployment prior to the PLP. That’s right. Ask a grown-up who remembers those days.
No where near as poor as we r now mate.