Tibbetts gets behind scenes tour of new building
(CNS): As the minister who had instigated the development of government’s new hi-tech, eco-friendly building when he was leader of government business and minister of planning in the 2005-09 PPM administration, Kurt Tibbetts finally got to see behind the scenes of the finished product recently. Back in the job as minister for planning, among other responsibilities, the former LoGB was shown how the building, which can accommodate over 1,000 workers, is helping to cut both communications and energy costs for the treasury.
Acting Head of Facilities Management Troy Whorms and Building Manager Adam McLaren escorted him on a behind-the-scenes look. In the control rooms they explained the automated Building Management System (BMS) which controls the engineering suites, and cooling plants that support one of the central data systems.
One of the Caribbean’s only self-contained automated BMS-driven Computer Room Air Control Systems, it requires few staff to manage, as the internal plant management and troubleshooting programmes do most of the work, by identifying and prompting pro-active action on technical issues.
In 2012 these and other innovations earned GAB a silver-rating for ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’ (LEED) among certified ‘green’ buildings. The USA rating-system considers a building’s design, construction and high-performance operations. A milestone in building technology for the entire region, the building benefits from greed renewable features such as the use of geo-thermal and heat-recovery systems. Energy-generating heat is harnessed by an innovative technology ‘air-transfer’ system. ‘Daylight harvesting’ allows ambient light to supplement the electric lights.
In terms of local power generation, the two-megawatt system is second in size to Caribbean Utilities Company’s (CUC’s) facility. Other efficiencies include a state-of-the-art telecommunications system. An internet-based communications programme comfortably manages all 1,500 telephone users throughout government, including an array of departments, such as Customs, Public Works, Children and Family Services, and the Courts Office.
Category: Local News
LEED is like a cult! You can get all sorts of advantage points for no real benefit to the sustainability. There is a Platinum certified building in Manhattan that is one of the most energy inefficient buildings in the city.
So ridiculous. Was he locked out for the past four years??
I bet none of them will go for a tour of the landfill………
Where is the landfill anyway? West Bay?
He says Stew Beef promotes hypertension and a number of other diseases.
OK, now that Kurt has had his behind the scenes look I wonder when he will have the tenacity to demand that it is filled to capacity with the various government entities still paying other people's mortgages through huge rental bills! He might also refurbish the glass house next door for the other offices that cannot fit into the new building. Examples? CINICO and the Immigration Boards at Cayman Centre.
I can't be arsed doing an FOI on the question of who is or is not in there and why not. Can anyone give me a list? Is Maritime in there? I know the boss of that didn't want to move because he couldn't go to work in his tee shirt and jeans. Why isn't CINICO there? And Immigration? The Stock Market (whose boss earns nearly $200,000) where is that? The main problems were always the non core civil service people (statutory authorities etc) because they didn't want too much supervision of the hours they kept and the standards they displayed despite their inflated salaries and benefits which Mr Swarbrick needs to dig into.. And in the case of one,still not there in the GOAB, how can we possibly move so far from the sports bar right next door where we can get into 'flights" of discussion about………er……… important matters.
Let's hope that unlike the majority of government, they work to properstandards.
Hey Kurt, looking good after 4 years vacation on full pay and pension
Envy is a bitch.
For all of the good that he has done for Caymanand Caymanians, I think he has earned it. Unlike some other leaders, particularly in West Bay.
Everybody respects Mr. T as a god ole jokified and seet talk bobo fella,fella, but lets talk straight, tell us what has he really done iof national substance n his umpteen years in the house, with the exception of the New Zealan accounting system which golly gee the whole world knows by now that it never has worked. Remmber Auditor General recent pronouncement on this.
"…which can accommodate over 1,000 workers…"
So why doesn't it? A disgrace after all this time and there is absolutely no excuse for the building not being full and the government saving money on the still many external commercial leases it is paying for.
We SALT!
Yawn… Time for KT to do some real work.
What I and many more would like to see Mr. T do, is to get the planning department on paralell with the rest of the World.
Get it to function like a planning board, and remove the short man's mentality.
Why are plans taking up to a year to get process??
This is 4 administration now, that i can remember the players begging for the this department to be functional.
Mr. T has been there before and nothing changed. It seemslike they are afraid to tackle the problem. Like they themselves dont know what to do… to get this department functional.
I will suggest, he call a meeting with all the Engineers, Architecs, Real estate, Developers and Builders, to imply some sensible, workable policies.
Actually, if it would work like a Planning Department, actually do some 'town & country' plannng, rather than just acting as glorified code reviewers, and cup-cariers for the CPA, would be an even greater improvement.
While you're yawning away?
tibbetts…the man who spent us into bankruptcy/recession/depression……….cheers!
Dimwit, it was not the spending that led us into recession. There was a global recession which affected not only us but all of our competitors as well. In fact the spending, while it did get us into debt big time, helped alleviate the recession by providing a stimulus to the local economy. Try to learn some basic economics before posting.
rubbish…america and other markets went into recession because of the collapse of their banking system…..this has not happened here yet….
Yes, I mean, what possible effect could the collapse of the financial markets have on the Cayman Islands?
Your ignorance/lack of understanding of the global effect of this is most amusing.
Huh? How exactly did that refute my point? lol. Anyone that brainless has to be a McKeeva supporter.
still sippin' from that propaganda cup I see?
ur the only one drinking the cool-aid…what part of what i said is incorrect????
even the village idiot (mckeeva bush) told him what his spending would lead to……….
More than fifty people disagree with you. I think you've got Kurt and McKeewa mixed up in your mixed up head..
You're right. Poeple have a short term memory when it comes to Poli-tricks. Don't take it personally how these people respond, just remember those who don't forget remember the truth, it was PPM who sunk us and sent us on a downward spiral…so lets get real.
That's cool building . Who built it?
McAlpine, I believe.
If mckeewa had his way we'd be paying tens of millions a year in rent on our building for the next hundred years, in whose interest I cannot help wondering. Thank you God for giving us a break from that clown.
How can he fit behind the scenes? Take a clue from Chris Christy and as a leader set an example for the people. Save some lives (including your own).
I suppose you are a perfect specimen of humanity
Pointless.
Fantastic!! Does anyone actually turn up to work?
I hope the BMS knows enough to turn off the floors that have no one occupying them. I worry that BMS may be one too many letters.