OFFERING some of the most spectacular views of Great Sound and first-rate services, Lefroy House has always been regarded as one of Bermuda’s top seniors homes. But all that changed when the 118-year-old building was battered by Hurricane Fabian in 2003.The result - a gaping hole in the roof which remained there until late last year when renovations finally began on the seniors home in Sandys.

However, instead of just replacing what was damaged, crews have worked tirelessly to retain as much historic detail as possible to the building which once served as a Royal Naval Hospital.

Shadow Minister for Seniors & Health, Louise Jackson accompanied the Mid-Ocean News on a recent tour of the facility to see the ongoing renovations, and was so overcome by the transformation from a once-tarpaulin covered eyesore to what it is today, that she literally could not stop smiling.

She refused to dwell on the time it has taken Government to repair the hole in the roof and instead praised contractors for the completed work.

She jokingly added to staff to reserve her a room: “This is going to be an outstanding facility. People who go into rest homes are going to be fighting to get into Lefroy House.

“It has one of the most spectacular views from that beautiful long veranda and it’s going to be a fight to see who is going to get to stay.”

Contractors maintained much of the original veranda by replacing damaged balustrades with identical new ones — right down to the original colour.

In fact when construction workers ripped the original sheathing from the roof, they were surprised to discover that the rafters, some more than 27 feet in length, were in impeccable condition - despite their age - and following hours of sanding, these original rafters were re-used.

As for the endless rolls of blue tarpaulin that covered the hole in the roof for almost three years, a Lefroy House staff member said he was just happy to finally get rid of it. Not to mention the tarpaulins which were used inside the building to protect the wooden floors and staircases from the elements.

He added that, thanks to this precaution, the original wooden floors were saved and would simply be sanded down.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the Ministry of Works and Engineering said the current contract, which included repairs to the roof, heavy timber and cast iron columns, was “practically completed”.

The contract also includes the removal of asbestos from the exterior of building, the removal and replacement of soffit, facia and upper level ceilings, including that of the veranda, structural repairs to the interior of the roof and repairs to the veranda’s heavy timbers, repairs to roof timbers and ceiling joists, cast iron column repairs and refinishing and installation of roof sheathing and waterproofing.

Other works includes roof lightning protection, decorative panel replacement and gutter installation.

The spokesman added that plans were underway to also replace the current nurse call system throughout Lefroy House, which was damaged by lightning, and to install a new patient wandering system.

He added: “Concurrently a master plan study for the whole of Lefroy House was undertaken so that additional work that may be needed at the facility is carried out in a coherent way in keeping with the future plans.”

He said the current construction work was being extended to include additional improvements to the historic building so that the facility could be made fully occupational.

Before it was damaged by Fabian, the building was home to 16 seniors.

External painting and repairs and refinishing work on the large existing windows was also in progress during the tour of the facility and it was pointed out that stripping of the existing, but obsolete electrical wiring and plumbing was also being carried out.

Meanwhile the removal and replacement of the veranda’s damaged decking is scheduled to start shortly, while asbestos on the interior of the building is being removed.

When this is done, the major internal demolition work required will proceed to enable the refurbishment to be carried out.

Government is also “contemplating” several other work packages to continue improvements at the Lefroy facility and bring up to par with other senior homes in Bermuda, including the newest facility in St. George’s.