GREAT BAY--The reconstruction of Sister Marie Laurence Primary School in Middle Region has entered a new phase, with the building's steel structure now rising above the construction site following the arrival of seven containers of steel materials last week. The project remains on track for delivery within its planned 14-month construction period, with another shipment of steel expected on St. Maarten next week for the second phase of construction.
The reconstruction, which began several months ago, is being carried out by Steel Structures T&T Ltd., a contractor from Trinidad and Tobago. The company has been working with local subcontractors wherever possible and has also involved young people from the Middle Region community in the ongoing construction activities.
The initial months of the project focused primarily on preparing the site and completing foundation works while the structural steel was being procured and shipped to St. Maarten. With the arrival of the first major shipment last week, construction has now moved into a stage where the physical shape of the new school is becoming visible.
Crews worked throughout the past weekend to offload the seven containers and begin erecting the steel framework. The progress made over several days has significantly changed the appearance of the construction site, giving residents their first clear view of the developing school building.
Once the steel structure is completed, the next stages will involve installing the building panels and creating the divisions for the classrooms and other spaces. The anticipated arrival of additional steel next week will allow work to continue on the second phase of the structure.
The involvement of local subcontractors and young people from Middle Region has also been an important component of the project, providing opportunities for local participation in the reconstruction of an educational facility that has served the community for generations.
The latest developments follow comments made on Tuesday, October 20, by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs, who expressed satisfaction with the progress being made on Sister Marie Laurence School and several other major reconstruction projects under her ministry.
"It's been a pleasure as minister to see real progress on these projects," Gumbs stated during her update.
The Minister specifically highlighted the pace at which the steel structure at Sister Marie Laurence was being installed, noting that the contractor had begun erecting the framework shortly after the materials arrived. She acknowledged the efforts of the construction team and expressed satisfaction that the project was moving into a more visible stage.
Gumbs also provided updates on the Charles Leopold Bell School and the new St. Maarten Library, two other major projects being implemented under the Fostering Resilient Learning Project.
She announced that the construction contract for Charles Leopold Bell School had been awarded and that preparations toward signing were progressing. The Minister said she is looking forward to the eventual groundbreaking and indicated that the reconstructed public school will feature a specialized educational approach, with additional details to be announced.
At the St. Maarten Library site, preparations are also progressing, including site stakeout activities and work toward construction of the building's foundation. The Minister noted that procurement planning for furniture, equipment and interior finishes is already underway for the library and Charles Leopold Bell School.
In the case of Sister Marie Laurence School, Gumbs explained that the Catholic School Board, which is responsible for the institution, has agreed to seek separate funding for furniture and finishes following discussions with the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).
The Minister said she hopes the three major facilities will be completed during 2027 and become fully operational by early 2028.
Reconstruction of Sister Marie Laurence School forms part of the Fostering Resilient Learning Project, implemented by the NRPB in collaboration with the Ministry of ECYS. The project is financed through the St. Maarten Trust Fund, funded by the Government of the Netherlands and administered by the World Bank.
The rebuilding of the school is intended to provide students and teachers with a permanent educational facility in Middle Region, following years of disruption to the school's operations.
With foundation work completed and the steel framework now being erected, the project has reached one of its most visible milestones as construction continues toward the eventual return of students and teachers to the Middle Region campus.
