PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland — While several schools in western Jamaica still have a long way to go to repair damage inflicted by last October’s Hurricane Melissa, Petersfield Primary in Westmoreland is now 98 per cent complete. There are only a few doors and windows left to be installed.

The Petersfield project is one of seven being undertaken by Archistruct Limited. Others include William Knibb High in Trelawny and five schools in St Ann. According to owner and managing director of the 14-year-old company Chadwick Lawrence, all the schools are almost 100 per cent repaired.

“The minister [of education] did say she’s holding us accountable, so I take that one seriously. I couldn’t afford to disappoint her,” he told the Jamaica Observer Wednesday.

With a degree in engineering and a master’s in construction project management, Lawrence is supported by a team of qualified construction professionals.

“It is no secret sauce; it’s just a matter of management and execution of tasks based on schedule and procuring materials on time. That is what I do. We use a lot of people from the area, as well as people from different areas, as needed. At Petersfield, we did a lot of night and day work to get it finished,” Lawrence explained when asked the secret to his success in having the schools ready for September.

“It boils down to one expression: Construction is about the joy of creating. It is nice to just see the students inside the classroom; it’s a genuinely nice feeling to see the students in the classroom learning and the teachers teaching in a comfortable space. When you talk with the teachers and the principals and they tell you that they are happy with the product they have received because it’s better than it was before… that really brings the joy of creating,” he said.

The company has been strategic in its approach.

“In terms of the scheduling and procurement of materials, we had ensured that we did that beforehand as we went along. We were doing seven schools, so we were able to buy in bulk and to get everything on spot before we needed it. Now we are at 98 per cent complete and we are happy to say that it is a good September morning. All the kids are out and about, parents and teachers are happy, and we’re just glad to see a satisfied customer,” Lawrence told the Observer.

The front of the newly repaired Petersfield Primary School in Westmoreland.

School board chairman and Custos of Westmoreland Reverend Hartley Perrin, who had initial concerns, is among those pleased with the results at Petersfield Primary.

“I had my doubts. I was very concerned about the progress, or lack thereof… But then, all of a sudden, it started to pick up as if they stepped on the accelerator. They were working longer hours and they seemed to have employed more people. I’m pleased to see the work that has been done and the quality of it. Even the painting is of good standard,” the Custos beamed.

But it has not all been smooth sailing. The type of windows needed for the school projects is not available in Jamaica. The original structures had aluminum window blades.

“We’re doing some… we discussed with the principals and they have agreed to other options for the type of windows,” said Lawrence.

At all seven schools, his team is now adding little touches that make a world of difference.

“We work closely with the principals and teachers. Even now, we are at different locations doing what we call commissioning. There are little things that might be needed — a teacher may need a nail there or a piece of board there for a pin-up board [to place teaching aids] — and we’re there now putting those things in place to make the space as comfortable as possible,” said Lawrence.

At Petersfield, his company has a separate contract to build a new administrative and classroom block. Lawrence confirmed that all materials are on-site and the bending of steel began Wednesday morning.