New Cayman Brac High School Project Progresses with Cost-Saving Adjustments

Construction of the new high school campus in Cayman Brac is advancing with a revised scope and an expected completion date in 2026. Honourable Rolston Anglin, Minister for Education and Training, shared an update on the project during a press briefing held on Friday, 29 August.

The plan for the future Layman E. Scott Senior High School has been modified to reduce costs while still providing students with quality educational facilities. The new school will have the capacity to accommodate at least 200 students and 50 faculty members, allowing for future expansion to meet the community’s growing needs.

Key changes include the discontinuation of the gymnasium and the associated connecting hallways to the main school building. Instead, indoor physical education classes and large school examinations will take place in the existing multipurpose hall at the Cayman Brac Sports Complex or other suitable spaces. These adjustments are projected to save approximately $6,000,000, streamlining the project while maintaining the functionality of core facilities.

Minister Anglin noted that he inherited a project where a substantial amount had already been spent, making it fiscally irresponsible to cancel. He emphasised that redesigning at this stage would be expensive, increasing costs further. 

“This is not about cutting corners. It is about balancing ambition with accountability—delivering a modern and sustainable school while exercising the fiscal prudence that our people rightly expect. Our government remains firmly committed to strengthening education across the Cayman Islands. By making careful choices today, we are safeguarding public resources, investing in safe schools, and building resilient communities,” he said.

The contract for the new campus was awarded to McAlpine Ltd. and Arch & Godfrey Ltd., operating as a Joint Venture Partnership (JVP). During the briefing, Garth Arch, Managing Director of Arch & Godfrey Ltd., reported significant progress, noting that materials have been procured and construction on the second floor is underway. He stressed partnership’s dedication to clear continuity and project delivery. “The Joint Venture of McApline and Arch & Godfrey and fully committed to completing the works in line with the scope, timeline, and quality standards. We are very pleased with the progress of the project,” he stated.

For more information on the new Cayman Brac high school, watch the full press briefing on CIGTV’s Youtube channel: http://bit.ly/3JwO88i.