Financing issues delaying
university’s second phase
~project redesigned so construction of classrooms can proceed~
PHILIPSBURG--Financing issues have forced the University of St. Martin (USM) to make some modifications to its plan for the construction of facilities for its second phase. The modifications were done so that the project could be awarded and get off the ground by the end of this year.
While Dutch funding agency USONA has allocated NAf. 952,000 for the construction of six classrooms, no money is available for the construction of a cafeteria and library which are prerequisites for accreditation. The original plan included the construction of six classrooms, a cafeteria and a library. However, an additional amount of NAf 700,000 is needed for the construction of the cafeteria and the library.
Chairman of the USM Building Committee Jan Welage told The Daily Herald the construction plans had to be redesigned so that the construction of the six classrooms could proceed, since the classrooms were needed for the teacher education programme, which has already started. The project contract also needs to be awarded for the institution to retain the NAF. 952,000 USONA funding.
The redesigned project should be up for bid between November 14 and 30. The contract is expected to be awarded before the end of the year and Welage expects physical work to start by January 2008.
Under the modified plan, the university also had to make some changes to its original design in keeping with the limited financing it has available. One of the changes is that instead of building a concrete roof, a “regular rafter roof” would be built.
Asked about the hurricane-worthiness of such a roof, Welage said the rafters would also be hurricane-proof. He said that the university would always be able to construct a concrete roof at a later stage.
The institution also needs an undisclosed amount to furnish the six classrooms and equip them with video projection facilities.
USM has since approached the Island Government for financing to aid with the construction of some of the facilities in the second phase. USM’s fundraising committee will also be organising activities to raise funds to furnish the classrooms and purchase equipment, desks, chairs, blackboards, soundproof ceilings and overhead beams. Welage said the latter was being done to ensure that lecturers would be able to do digital presentations.
Furnishing each room with projection facilities to cater to up to 30 students will cost some US $24,500.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the pace of the work for phase two, Welage said, “No, I’m not satisfied. (Securing) funding is a challenge. When you’re using public funds there are a lot of regulations, drawbacks and a lot of conditions that we have to adhere to.”
Additionally, the university has plans to expand its existing offices. At the moment, the land behind the university is being filled to create additional space around the building and construct dormitories, which is part of the university’s phase three plan. Some 7,000 square metres are being filled.
