The Bodden Town Church of God Multi-Purpose Hall, which is being built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, will also be used as a public hurricane shelter.

The 20,672 square feet single-storey building is being constructed just past the Bodden Town Primary School on four acres of church property. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2011 hurricane season.

The project is a working partnership between the church and the government and is estimated to cost just under CI$4 million when completed.

The multi-purpose hall is being built to an elevation of 14 feet with hurricane resistant impact windows and doors, which is the government’s requirement for shelters, and will accommodate 500 people.

The building will also feature a kitchen, office and storage; two restroom areas with showers; a waste water treatment plant; and a 60,000 galleon water cistern located under the hall stage.

Church of God Pastor Winston Rose said the finished building will be used for church services, youth activities, community events and act as a hurricane shelter when needed.

“The shelter is being constructed high to prevent flooding and as a multi-purpose hall we will be able to host indoor games as well as use it for community events because there is no sizeable auditorium in Bodden Town” he said

“The multi-purpose hall will be used as long as necessary to accommodate persons sheltering from the hurricane and for a reduced number that are left homeless,” he added.

In 2007, West Bay MLA Cline Glidden suggested churches should be encouraged and assisted by government to construct building to a standard that would allow the structures to serve as hurricane shelters.

Along with the increase in shelter accommodations, Mr. Glidden said another advantage was the fact that church buildings are used year-round and maintained by their congregations, so there would be no added costs for upkeep to the government.

When the building is completed, Pastor Rose said the congregation will be moving from the old church by Guard House Hill to the new facility. Then when phase two of the project is completed, which is the sanctuary, the congregation will move in there. The third phase of the project will be an educational centre.

When asked what was planned for the old church, Pastor Rose said he was not sure yet.

Although government is providing some of the funding, most of the money will be coming from donations. Anyone wishing to assist the project can make donations to the church, he said.

 The Public Works Department is providing project management assistance to ensure hurricane shelter standards are met.

At the site on Thursday, Public Works Department representative Evans Simiyu said that when the building is completed, it should be one of the safest hurricane shelters on the Island.

Plans for the multi-purpose hall were drawn up by Whittaker & Watler and contractors on the job are Chris and Chuck Duty of Tri Island Construction.

In 2007, then-Deputy Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks revealed that there was only enough shelter space for about 4,000 of the estimated 52,000 people living on Grand Cayman at the time.  Both of new high schools under construction are also going to serve as hurricane shelters when they are completed.