Bishop Canilla works finished

After more than a year and a half since the works first started, the Government announced last week that refurbishment works in Bishop Canilla House are now complete.

Some of the improvements to the buildings include enclosed balconies to deal with water ingress and a new stretcher lift in cases of medical emergencies.

Bishop Canilla House was first completed in August 2000, but the Government said that from the outset it has caused “tenants to suffer from rainwater penetration problems and resulting damp due to the initial defective and substandard construction”.

In a statement from No.6 Convent Place, a spokesman for the Government said: “This administration embarked on an ambitious programme of major refurbishment to this building to prevent it from falling into further disrepair.”

Samantha Sacramento, caretaker Minister for Housing, said: “I am so pleased that this major refurbishment is now complete.”

“The works have been completed to a very high standard and all residents are extremely happy with the final outcome.”

“Regrettably, these works became more complicated than initially envisaged because unforeseen complications arose during the process, especially when the roof was replaced, and this caused some delay, but it was better that the job was finished properly even though it may have taken that little bit longer.”

“It has all been worth it in the end and these works will not only improve the building from an appearance perspective, but will also remedy the longstanding rainwater ingress problems, particularly through the poorly designed and constructed balcony floors and the substandard external blockwork construction.”

“These works will protect the building from the weather elements in the future and our elderly residents will take the benefit of this improvement.”