ANOTHER attempt is being made to construct a much-needed building to house the Hilloughby Basic School in Cascade, Hanover, which started as the parish’s Labour Day project 13 years ago.

On Labour Day this year, several residents as well as officials from the Hanover Parish Council (HPC), including Lucea Mayor Wynter McIntosh and councillor for the area Lloyd Hill, journeyed to the site to resume work on the building.

And as was the case in 2002, the work undertaken formed the parish’s main Labour Day project.

But according to Mayor McIntosh, this time around every effort will be made to have the building completed in short order.

He told the Observer West that in the upcoming days he will be having dialogue with the Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern Dr DK Duncan and area residents to see how best to complete the construction of the building.

“I will have to make sure we (HPC) have all the funding in place. I am also going to have some discussions with the member of Parliament to see how best both the member of Parliament and myself, as chairman of the Hanover Parish Council, can work with the community,” he explained.

“Certainly we (HPC) won’t have enough funds in terms of cash to pay all the labourers and so on. [But] if we can get the community to come aboard with us, then we can find a way to see how best we can get the materials and complete the project.”

Hill, in whose division the building is being constructed, said the community will be doing its part to ensure that the facility is completed.

“We will basically be partnering with the community. They (residents) will be doing their part and periodically we will inject some funds from the council to take it a step further, so that hopefully not before too long we will be able to complete it,” said an optimistic Hill, who is also a former Lucea mayor.

He explained that the project remained incomplete after 13 years because “we were not able to continue, because every year the parish project was shift to another location, so the input of the council did not continue”.

Hilloughby Basic School, which presently has an enrollment of 34 students and three teachers, first opened its doors to the public more than 65 years ago.

But over the years, the school has had its fair share of challenges, including the need for a permanent place to call its home.

The institution has been housed in the Cascade Community Centre for the past 20 years.

But area residents say they are in need of the centre, and are calling for the structure to house the school to be completed.

Principal of over 20 years at the school, Montia Brown, said in spite of the work done on Labour Day this year, much more assistance is needed to get the job done.

“We would need fencing for the school, bathroom, kitchen … and we would like for the yard to [be] levelled so that the children will have a play area,” said Brown.

During last week’s Labour Day activities, which were hampered by rain, a section of the roof was installed.

The installation of doors and windows are among several other things that are yet to be undertaken.

“First of all, we want to put on the roof and then enclose it. After the enclosure, we will think of additions such as bathroom, dining room….. but we are dealing with the main structure first, so that the school can even start before it (building) is completed,” said Hill.