FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Efforts are being made to identify suitable State-owned land to construct a new infirmary for Trelawny, preferably a location without a view of the sea. The previous facility, which was left in ruins after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, had a breathtaking view.

But according to mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) Councillor C Junior Gager, the infirmary suffered extensive damage, losing its roof and ward spaces, while the protective seawall that once shielded the property was also destroyed.

“At this time we are trying to see if we can identify government lands that might be available so that we can start some type of negotiation,” Gager told Thursday’s regular monthly meeting of the TMC.

“It would be nice if the next infirmary that is built is constructed somewhere secure, away from the seaside, where we don’t have to be always moving these residents out of their comfort zone,” he added.

The mayor, who described the destruction as “heartbreaking”, said the collapse of the seawall poses a major threat to the safety of residents if the area is not repaired or the infirmary relocated.

“It is going to take millions to put back the seawall together,” he cautioned. “Because if we don’t, and the residents are there and we have a rough sea and the tides begin to rise, it will come right in, and we don’t know what it will do. So we have to be careful.”

Gager said infirmary residents, many of whom have been displaced since the storm, are anxious to return to what they consider home.

“I can tell you, I hear residents asking, ‘When are we going back home?’ They want to go back in their own space. But we are trying everything that we can do,” he assured.

The residents are still currently housed at a shelter at Hague Primary and Infant school.

During a visit to Falmouth last Saturday, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie noted that one of the most heartbreaking sights of Hurricane Melissa’s wrath was the Falmouth infirmary. It once housed more than 100 residents and staff.

“There is no way that that infirmary will be able, anytime soon, to take back the residents who used to occupy it,” he lamented.

“We are now having to look at what alternative arrangements can be made to house them,” McKenzie added.

During Thursday’s meeting of the TMC, the mayor also revealed that the corporation is seeking assistance to secure a suitable tent to temporarily house its administrative operations. The TMC’s headquarters, located at the historic Falmouth courthouse building, was also damaged by the Category 5 hurricane’s strong winds.

“We ourselves are looking to see if we can find a proper tent or if someone can guide us where we can get one — air-conditioned and suitable for office operations — so we can set up a temporary site,” Gager appealed.

“We are asking anyone out there who can assist or has ideas to reach out to us. We have our page open for messages,” he said.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie (right) surveys the broken down seawall at the premises of the Trelawny Infirmary in Falmouth after Melissa. Looking on are Mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager (left) and Kayon Hall, superintendent of roads and works at the Trelawny Municipal Corporation. (Photo: Horace Hines)