I was impressed with the professionalism of the presentation made by the government and representatives of the consultants in regard to the proposed expansion of Cayman’s three airports.

See iNews Cayman story today “$122M wanted for Cayman airport upgrades“.

There was well over 100 persons gathered at The Mary Miller Hall last Monday (21) and we heard from Cayman Islands Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister, Moses Kirkconnell, Bernhard Schropp from WSP Canada, the technical consultants on the project, and Simon Connolly of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the financial consultants.

The Deputy Premier spoke confidently that there would be no need to borrow the $122M required over the projected 18-20 years to complete all the necessary required works the consultants and government had agreed on.

However, 18 plus years is a long time and most crystal balls have bubbled and broken long before then but we have to look and plan for a future we can only take a stab at.

When the first major overhaul of Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) on Grand Cayman took place over 30 years ago I commented then there was no room for expansion I was curtly told by one of the consultants on the project they did not want any expansion and it was going to stay the same for generations to come!

I was new to the Islands and firmly put in my place.

The news the project was going to be paid from the EXPECTED income was greeted warmly although there, of course, were the skeptics.

What made people most happy was the Kirkconnell’s earnest and genuine approach to the project saying the expansion of the terminal at ORIA is a priority and government’s goal was to break ground on it early 2015 – April or May was mentioned. The work would be divided into 4 phases and would proceed AS FUNDING ALLOWS.

It would appear though, the first $50M, was in the bank and building blocks would be ready to receive the cement to bind them together.

The Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) on Cayman Brac would receive a $2.5M makeover and Little Cayman $1M.

I expect the government is going to receive some opposition to any proposals on building a new airport at Little Cayman or major renovations to the existing one. They like the airport exactly as it is. Quaint!

Any extension to the existing runway at ORIA was not included in the cost exercise in the first phase because the consultants said there appeared to be no immediate requirement for it from the airlines. It was, however, included in the master plan and could be done at any time.

Any time if there is any money!

It was acknowledged the project would probably move on a lot speedier if there was a public private partnership but it was not recommended as they work better for new projects. And a new airport terminal at ORIA would be needed as early as 20 years time and certainly in 40 years.

I will not be around to see that.

Some of the various schematics and tables contained in the report are attached in the main story.

All would appear now to be in place for a much needed early take off.