Upgrade coming for QRC, President’s House

QRC and President’s House are to undergo historical restoration. This was revealed by Minister of Works and Transport, Franklyn Khan at a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters on Sackville Street yesterday.

Khan stated that a major consultancy contract was awarded for a delapidation survey and restoration report of the two historical buildings around the Savannah. The Historical Restoration Unit, which was created almost 14 years ago, is part of the Ministry of Works and is the only official authority in Trinidad and Tobago that deals with national architecture. The minister also stated that the restoration did not simply include rehabilitation but the exact restoration of the building and where it was constructed. “For instance, if the marble came from a particular quarry in Italy we would go to that quarry to get the marble,” he added.

The scope of works, according to Khan, would include a briefing which is an initial review of the buildings, a delapidation survey which includes a detailed review of the building, a preliminary restoration report and a final report. The restoration of the President’s House is estimated to be completed in 2006 while QRC will be finished by 2005. The cost of the consultancy contract, according to Khan, will be between $10 to $12 million, but the actual restoration cost could not be determined until the restoration survey is completed. “The main problems that need to be fixed are the bad roofing, delapidated walls and floors, and the foundation of the buildings,” Khan explained. Khan stated that the work on QRC would not affect the students since a new wing is expected to be built to house the students before the official start of the restoration process.