Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre Officially Opens
The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, has officially opened the rebuilt Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre at John’s Hole on Monday, 13 October. Minister Sharie B. de Castro described the new facility as a statement that "every child matters," while the ministry and recovery agencies highlighted the long recovery and reconstruction work that restored a permanent, purpose-built facility for inclusive education.
The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, marked the official opening of the rebuilt Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre (EHRLC) on Monday, 13 October with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at John’s Hole, celebrating the completion of a project decades in the making (Ministry of Education press release; VINO).
The institution began in 1972 as the Fort Charlotte Children’s Centre — the original structure opened on 12 October 1972 — and has served the Territory for more than 50 years. The original building was devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, forcing relocations and long-term disruption to services for children with special needs (Ministry press release; VINO).
Reconstruction of a fit-for-purpose facility was implemented through the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Construction began in 2023 by Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd. and represents an investment of more than three million dollars to restore and improve the Territory’s capacity to support children with diverse learning needs, according to the Ministry’s 10 October press release.
The rebuilt EHRLC is designed to accommodate up to 30 students with diverse abilities and includes four classrooms and two exterior learning spaces, plus specialised rooms to support therapeutic and sensory needs: a sensory room, a therapy room, a media room, a multipurpose hall, a hygiene room and a nurse’s station.
The facility also provides quiet reflection areas and a sensory garden to support outdoor learning and regulation (Ministry press release). Architectural design was led by Lavina Liburd, founder of TigerQi Architecture, and construction was carried out by Autland Heavy Equipment Co.
Ltd. under the leadership of General Manager Dion Crabbe, the Ministry said. Portions of the new centre were already in use by students before Monday’s ceremony, with the formal opening marking the completion of the build. At the opening, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro said the new centre is "more than a school; it is a statement that here in the Virgin Islands every child matters, every mind belongs, and every ability has value," and added that when the storms “stripped us bare, they also gave us something sacred: the opportunity to begin again intentionally this time.” She described the project as not merely reconstructed but “rebirthed,” with deliberate design choices to meet the needs of exceptional learners (VINO).
Among those who attended the ceremony were Governor Daniel Pruce; Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley, who also delivered remarks; Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Archer Jr; and Chief Education Officer Orlandette R. The Ministry said the completion of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre reaffirms its dedication to creating accessible spaces that empower every child to thrive and is expected to strengthen partnerships between educators, families and the wider community.
Officials say the permanent facility will provide greater stability and continuity of services for families across the BVI, reducing the disruptions caused by earlier relocations (Ministry press release). More details and follow-up programmes are expected as the centre becomes fully operational (VINO).
Primary source: BVI Government