LUCEA, Hanover — Residents of the Lucea Infirmary who have been living in dilapidated century-old buildings on Watson Taylor Drive are now living in a more comfortable and modern environment with the long-awaited opening of a new $40-million facility.

Ground for the state-of- the-art infirmary, which will be used as a prototype for other infirmaries across the island, was broken more than three years ago, originally budgeted to cost $27 million.

At that time it was disclosed that funding for the project was being provided by the Culture Health Arts Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund to the tune of $20 million, while the balance was allocated by the then Department of Local Government.

The project was originally scheduled to be completed within nine months. However, that was not to be, as within less than two months after the construction started, the Department of Local Government launched an investigation into the project, alleging that they were a number of irregularities, including design flaws due to unapproved modifications associated with the project.

Work on the project resumed months after, but later came to a standstill, this time due to a lack of funds.

But during a tour of the construction site in May, Mayor of Lucea Shernet Haughton disclosed that the council had requested money from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to complete the project.

At last Thursday’s opening of the facility, Minister of Local Government Noel Arscott thanked the CHASE Fund for partnering with the ministry, as he urged other organisations to come on board and support the poor relief services.

“We should all make a concerted effort to provide comfort and care for those who are need in the shadow of their life,” he stressed.

Chairman of the Poor Relief Committee of the Hanover Parish Council, Wynter McIntosh expressed delight for the new facilities.

“I am very passionate about the infirmary, because a lot of the residence there are people who have served their country, and so they deserve to get the best as well,” said Wynter, who had on a number of occasions expressed concern about the deplorable state in which the residents were living in the old buildings.

The new infirmary was built to meet the needs of the physically challenged, is equipped with a modern-type lightning system.

It contains a male and female ward and is able to accommodate 55 persons -two per room. The facility also has four self-contained private area, a nurses’ station and an activity area.