Dock Renovations Completed Under Budget
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment announced the completion of renovation works at the bottom of Dock Hill, noting that the “project was completed under budget.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Public Works and Environment is pleased to announce the completion of renovation works at the bottom of Dock Hill, commonly referred to by residents as Sandys Dock, located on North Shore Road to the west of Devonshire Dock.
“This popular community swimming and recreational site had been closed due to deterioration over time and damage from recent hurricanes, which made it unsafe for public use.
“Recognised as a priority project, the Ministry allocated part of the $400,000 set aside in the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review for island-wide dock improvements to restore Sandys Dock to a safe and attractive standard.
“Works included resurfacing the dock and stairs, rebuilding damaged retaining walls, removing invasive vegetation, installing perimeter fencing, and enhancing the area with landscaping, sod, plants, and picnic tables.
“While the second section of the retaining wall required additional repairs into July, the dock itself has been in service for the community throughout the summer. The project was completed under budget, with a final contract value of $71,802.01 – well below the $90,000 initially budgeted.”
Minister of Public Works and Environment Jache Adams said: “I am delighted to see Sandys Dock restored to the standard this community deserves.
“We promised to address the condition of this site, and today we have delivered on that promise – and we have done so under budget. This is an example of the Government delivering tangible results that directly benefit our people.
“Although the site is referred to as ‘Sandys Dock’, it is actually a gathering place for families, a safe space for our young people to swim, and a valued part of the area’s social fabric.
“I thank the area MP and my Ministerial colleague, Owen Darrell, for his advocacy, our Ministry technical staff and engineers for their expertise, Smith Hauling and Excavating for their quality workmanship, and the Department of Parks for its beautification efforts. Together, we have preserved a community asset for years to come.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The Ministry encourages residents to visit the improved site, which now offers a safer, more welcoming space for recreation, swimming, and fishing.”
Yeah go visit it … it’s already taken over by the non working residents . fancy concrete table and benches already smells of piss … beer bottles and trash .
I have family living just across the street and they will not take their children there due to the conditions just like many of the public docks and parks .
So, hundreds of thousands have been spent on a public facility which has imediatley been taken over and destroyed by those who don’t pay the taxes that created it.
Well done Government. Add this to your great accomplishments for the people.
The general pubic disgust me. I cannot understand why you would use a lovely public space for your enjoyment and just trash it up for the next person who would like to use it. IT’S EVERYWHERE….beaches, parks, railway trails. No one has respect for public property or for others who want to use it. But great job spending all our tax payers money on beautifying a space and allowing a bunch of unproductive citizens take it over – great job (eye roll).
Must have outsourced like they did with Mangrove Bay public dock where a team of Filipino workers completed the job in good time. Wouldn’t be done by Christmas if W&E were involved.
It’s sad that the same thing happens at the Dev Dock area a few feet away. Full of trash beer bottles, and the full time non working residents have been allowed to literally build wooden shacks to hang out in and make a make a bar from a tuna tower off an old boat. What are the area MPs waiting for, these grown A men to claim squatters rights? That used to be an area where area kids went to swim and fish and buy fresh local fish from incoming fisherman. Now both spots are taken over but MPs pretend not to notice. Shameful
It seems to be the norm for many of the docks lately. Persons seem to build little shacks and treat the place like they own it and don’t allow others to use the docks. If you go down to use Riddells bay or Jews bay public docks the persons loitering around make you feel so uncomfortable, they have beer bottles all over the place and they block the dock as its theirs and fish all day and night so you can’t even dock your boat. We simple can not use the docks anymore as they block them so frequently. Would be nice if gov could step in and make them usable again.
“Would be nice if gov could step in and make them usable again”
You are overlooking the fact that the PLP Government wants Bermuda to be more like the Caribbean that it has been before. This appears to be part of that plan.
I hope that someone claims squatters rights and fights government for the land! Maybe then the area MPs, the Minister and Parks Department and other PAID employees will be forced to do their job and make it so that these areas can be used by all.
Dont get me wrong I have no problem with anyone going down to the park or dock, enoying the outdoors, the view and enjoying a cold one as long as the neighborhood residents can also safely play and swim and not have to witness drunken and illegal behavior in a public place. The issue most people have is that so many areas have been taken over by grown men that just sit there around the clock and make it difficult for anyone to feel comfortable and safe in their own neighbourhood. Pretty much all of North Shore is a no go zone by residents. Spanish Point Park, both parks at C-Mart / Government House, this recently renovated park, Devonshire Dock, and until Tynes Bay.
Why is it that in the six months leading up to an election, so much gets done and no where near as much gets done in the four years after they are elected!
Way to go… Can you now start work on the steps at Penhurst, they’ve been a wreck for a minute now!!!!! Thanks in advance….
Ooooo how nice now i can get to the dock high and drunk before i dive overboard lol than swim round de corner to get high n drunk all over again at devonshire dock…what a waste of money lol
Thank you for this. Watching from the UK. I had taken my daughter there multiple evenings when she was having her teen depression bouts. We have memories that will last us forever.