Berkeley timeline: A chronology of chaos from November 2000 — November 2005

November, 2000 — Ministry of Works and Engineering pre-qualifies contractors — five make presentations.

November 2, 2000 — The three most qualified contractors were identified (Pro-Active was not among them and was rated 'high risk').

November 28, 2000 — Five contractors invited to tender.

March 2, 2001 — Pro-Active the second lowest bidder at $68,164,841 and Bermuda Tech/Ellis-Don lowest bidder at $62,987,435.

March 9, 2001 — Bermuda Tech submits a more detailed report on pricing for the project (bills of quantities) including schedules, insurance and bonding.

April 17, 2001 — Cabinet awards contract to Pro-Active.

June 4, 2001 — A performance bond (surety) was issued by Union Asset Holdings Ltd. All shares owned by the Bermuda Industrial Union.

June 18, 2001 — Work begins on the site with a projected completion date of September 4, 2003.

September, 2001 — $450,000 paid to Pro-Active (includes an amount not approved by the quantity surveyor).

December 11, 2001 — Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry approves payment of $700,000 to Pro-Active (reimbursement of the bond).

October 24, 2002 — Ministry staff see the performance bond for the first time

October, 2002 — Auditor General's special report on the Berkeley Institute Senior School capital project submitted to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

December 2002 — Auditor General Larry Dennis hands over his file on the new $70 million secondary school to Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith for investigation into a payment of $700,000 to the general contractor.

February 2003 — Workers on the site said they were unable to do anything because they had no materials to work with after suppliers began withholding goods because of non-payment.

November 2003 — Detectives launch an investigation into the $700,000 fee paid by Government to the general contractor of the new secondary school project.

February 19 2004 — Government announce another $13 million to be spent on Berkeley while negotiations continue to keep Pro-Active onsite as Government admits the project won't be completed for another year.

February 26, 2004 — Government announces $20 million on top of $68 million contract was being sought for "extras".

March 2004 — Of the $20 million, $13 million agreed to be paid to Pro-Active Management with two outstanding issues sent to arbitration and Government announces school will not open until September 2005

August 2004 — Pro-Active contract cancelled.

September 2004 — Dispute over Pro-Active contract goes to arbitration.

October 2004 — Somers Construction gets key role as Berkeley Project to proceed. Project now estimated at $81 million.

November 2004 — Government rules out possibility of public inquiry into management of Berkeley project.

January 2005 — Pro-Active say ruling expected by April.

February 2005 — Pro-Active lawyers say Government still not agreed to ground rules for arbitration. Government denies claim.

March 2005 — Government announces first phase of new school will be completed by September 2005.

April 2005 — Berkeley PTSA vow to push for September 2006 opening, but Government gives assurance that pupils will not be moved to a "construction site".

June 2005 — Government announces pupils and staff to move to completed campus in January 2006.

August 2005 — Works and Engineering begin hand-over phase of the Berkeley Senior Secondary School to Ministry of Education and Development. Full occupation expected by October 2005.

October 2005 — Works and Engineering declare 70 percent of school complete while two-thirds of school is handed over to Education Ministry. Minister Terry Lister says students expected to make move to new campus by start of second term in January 2006.

November 2005 — News that the school will not be ready in January 2006.