The Tribune

THE government has awarded a contract for $1,174,127 to Coastline Construction and Development to restore Pompey Museum.

Housed in the Vendue building on Bay Street, the museum was destroyed by fire in December 2011.

Neko Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport, said the scope of work includes space for a new reception area and gift shop on the lower floor.

A storage room, staff rest-room, kitchenette, expanded exhibition hall and curators' offices will be located on the upper floor.

"It is expected that the amenities of the new Pompey Square will complement the museum's operations when they are both completed," Mr Grant said.

"This project along with the refurbishment and repairs undertaken to the Hansard, Senate and House of Assembly buildings in Parliament Square all contribute to the ongoing effort to enhance the physical condition of public infrastructure as necessary while preserving historic sites for the benefit of future generations.

"Bearing in mind the historic significance of these buildings, the designs were prepared in consultation with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation."

Mr Grant noted that Coastline Construction and Development successfully restored the Hansard building and conducted the external repairs on the Senate and House of Assembly. He acknowledged staff at the Ministry of Works - including Caldwell Pratt, deputy director; Levi Somerville, electrical engineer; and Gerard Symonette, mechanical engineer - for their work as well.

And he thanked Alicia Oxley, project officer at the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation; John Stewart of Construction Cost Engineering (Bahamas) Limited; and Hammond Rahming of the Engineering Group Co Ltd for their contributions to the project, which should be completed by November 2012.

In the 1800s, the Vendue Building was Nassau's slave trading post. For the past 22 years, it has served as a museum dedicated to the study of slavery.