Demolition work on three dormitory buildings at the former Club Med resort in St. George’s will be completed by the end of April, Government today announced.

Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess, flanked by Ministry officials, held a news conference this morning and said the property’s dormitory buildings were undergoing asbestos clearance, which started in December.

Premier Ewart Brown had stated last summer that construction of a new hotel property on the site would begin in 2007. Asked the reasons for the delay, Mr. Burgess stressed, “Abatement of asbestos takes some time.

“We were not aware of the amount of asbestos contained inside these buildings – and so that has put us back. Certainly it was our wish and endeavour to have construction started. But you cannot start it under these conditions.”

Mr. Burgess also noted that asbestos contamination was found to be present throughout the main building, describing the abatement task as one of “the biggest jobs” his Ministry faced. Mr. Burgess was not able to say how much extra cost would be incurred as a result of clearing the asbestos.