$58M Rehabilitation Boosts Living Conditions at Torrington Park Housing Scheme

The living conditions of residents at the Torrington Park Housing Scheme in St. Andrew Southern have been significantly enhanced, following the completion of rehabilitation works on two apartment buildings by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development at a cost of $58 million.

The works included the reconstruction of a collapsed staircase; retrofitting of other staircases with new structural members; full rehabilitation of leaking and deteriorated roof sections; preparation and repainting of external walls, stairwells, and common areas; and the replacement of defective water closets along with corrective plumbing to eliminate leaks.

The project, executed by Doks Well Construction, was completed over the past year, following extensive assessments conducted by engineers from the Ministry.

Speaking during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday (December 9), Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Hon. Robert Montague, affirmed that the Government’s investment will significantly improve the living conditions of the community.

He encouraged residents to play their part by ensuring the proper maintenance of the rehabilitated spaces.

“Cutting the ribbon is not the end of the process… [but] the beginning of a process. It is a process that is leading to dignity, to safety and to cooperation,” Mr. Montague stated.

The Minister acknowledged residents’ concerns regarding security of tenure and pledged that the matter will be addressed as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts.

“I am determined to solve that problem. The Social Services Unit in the Ministry is going to come back to have a meeting with the residents to sort out some legal and occupancy matters. But not only for these buildings, but also for the units surrounding,” Mr. Montague assured.

In his remarks, Director of Projects in the Ministry, Phillip Stephenson, noted that the project, which commenced on November 19, 2024, reached practical completion on November 25, 2025, meeting the standards required to ensure long-term stability and residents’ safety.

“This intervention focused on four key objectives – improving safety, upgrading infrastructure, enhancing essential services, and ensuring compliance with sound engineering practices. I can say that these objectives have all been met,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew Southern, Mark Golding, expressed gratitude to the Ministry, technical staff, and construction workers for their role in completing the project.

“It is always a good day when a project is completed within budget. We heard the figure $58 million, and I think we got value for money. When you see the size of the building, there are three sets of staircases, several floors high, all had to be redone or reinforced. The roofing has been redone, ceiling, et cetera. So a lot of work has been done here,” he affirmed.

Torrington Park resident Joy Moore expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the occupants.

The Torrington Park Housing Scheme, constructed in the 1980s, comprises 345 units, including 47 apartment blocks.

Its rehabilitation forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing programme to address ageing infrastructure across the island and enhance living conditions in government-owned housing complexes.