The Tribune

Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) $144 million international arrivals terminal is set to open on October 16, it was announced yesterday, some 30 per cent of total construction contract value having been awarded to Bahamians.

The Nassau Airport Development Company’s (NAD) Board of Directors, headed by chairman Anthony McKinney, toured the 226,000 square foot arrivals hall this week.

At the construction peak, more than 500 workers (70 per cent Bahamian labourers) were on-site transforming the former US Departures terminal into a sleek, three-storey structure with barrel vaulted ceilings.

And, to date, some $38.9 million in contracts have been been awarded to Bahamian firms, equaling 30 per cent of the total value of construction contracts awarded during the stage of LPIA’s redevelopment.

Designed to give passengers a completely different first impression of New Providence, the international arrivals terminal will house Bahamas Immigration and Bahamas Customs, a state-of-the-art baggage belt system, four restaurants, bars, lounges and six hotel reception lobbies.

The new terminal mimics environmental design features found in LPIA’s stage one construction, including large roof overhangs to provide shade and reduce heat-gain, rain water collection, low-flush automatic plumbing fixtures and automatic building maintenance systems to control lighting and cooling.

The exterior design also incorporates a mix of 50 per cent glass and 50 per cent solid walls to maximise light and minimise heat intrusion.

Ledcor Construction, the general contractor, began work on stage two in March 2011.

An impressive art programme started in stage one has been expanded to include six stunning pieces by Bahamian artists Imogene Walkine, Maxwell Taylor, Keisha Oliver, Jolyon Smith and Melissa Maura. The art adds a distinctive Bahamian ‘sense of place’ to the facilities, and all the pieces will be unveiled on opening day.

The final stage in the $409.5 million expansion project, construction of a Domestic and International Departures and Domestic Arrivals terminal, is set for completion in fall 2013.