The Cayman Islands Scout Association will soon have a place to call home, with a 33-year peppercorn land lease granted by Cabinet.

The lease, which also comes with further long-term extension options, will allow the association to build its first local headquarters “giving all cubs, scouts and beavers a place to call their own,” said the Scout’s Chief Commissioner Orrett Connor.

Lauding Government for its support, Mr. Connor added: “Having our own building will give us much-needed visibility, which in turn will allow us to grow, reaching more children and young adults.

“This is a government investment that will no doubt pay dividends to the entire community,” Mr. Connor said.

The Scout Association will use the land to build its multi-purpose headquarters at 34 Middle Road, replacing the Ivan-damaged building that used to house the organisation.

The Scout’s new building will include storage space, administrative offices, a shop and a meeting hall that they will share with sister organisation, the Girl Guides, and also the Girls Brigade, said Mr. Connor.

Once the plans are completed, the next step will be to raise the funds for construction.

“I know the Scouts will tackle this challenge with vigour and I ask everyone to help us meet our target,” urged Mr. Connor.

He is hopeful that sufficient donations will be received to enable demolition and construction to commence before year’s end.

“Helping the association to find a permanent home has definitely created a win-win situation,” commented Deputy Premier and Minister of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, “The lease allows its members to build a centre, which it will share with the community and other organisations.

“I am proud that my Ministry was able to play a part in assisting the Scouts to achieve this milestone. It is holistic groups such as this that build young men and women into responsible and productive citizens,” Ms. O’Connor-Connolly added.

Having a presence since the 1920s, the Scout Association is one of Cayman’s oldest organisations of its kind and it presently has about 500 members. “We are best described as an educational movement that complements family and school life. Our core mission is to contribute to the holistic development and continuous education of our young people,” Mr. Connor explained.

Apart from the latest land grant, Government supports the work of the Scout Association through funding a full-time Executive Commissioner, while HE Governor Duncan Taylor serves as Chief Scout.