McAlpine Ltd. – Cayman Islands Government Administration

As the general contractor for the new Cayman Islands Government Administration Building, McAlpine Ltd. has not only taken on a substantial government project, but also a significant one in the islands’ history. According to Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts, the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011, is one of the largest capital projects undertaken in the Cayman Islands.

“When completed, it will include offices for some 34 government agencies, including the Ministries and Portfolios; several authorities and some government departments, such as General Registry and the Planning Depart­ment,” he said in a statement. “In building this project, [the] government will be able to bring together, under one roof, a number of its core functions and services, which will, I am sure, result in improved delivery of services to our clients, the Cayman Islands public.”

Tibbetts noted that the building will cover 240,000 square feet and feature five stories of commercial space and a basement car park. “The public lobby on the main floor of the building will resemble a banking hall, with a number of service desks for various government agencies, such as the Planning Department, General Registry, the Public Service Pensions Board and the Monetary Authority,” he said.

“The public lobby has been designed in a way that will allow the public to carry out their business with government in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment, and includes areas for displaying work by our local artists,” he said. “I am confident that members of the public will find the new building provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for many of their transactions with government.”

He noted that the ground floor also would feature the offices for the general and company registries, the Public Service Pensions Board and the Monetary Authority’s Currency Operation. “The second floor will house the Civil Aviation Authority, Government Information Services, the Investment Bureau, Computer Services and the Portfolio of the Civil Service,” he said.

“The third floor occupants will include the Monetary Authority, the Tax Information Authority and the Maritime Authority,” he continued. The fourth floor will feature the Planning Department’s offices, and the fifth will house the Governor’s office, the Attorney General’s chambers and various ministries.

“In addition, the specifications for the building require efficient mechanical and electrical systems to be installed, which will keep operating costs to a minimum,” he said. For instance, air conditioning will be provided through a chilled water system, which uses geothermal technology.

Additionally, “A further energy savings will be achieved by using an under-floor air-conditioning system, which has the added benefit of increased flexibility and temperature control for the occupants,” he said. “This system also helps to ensure a clean and comfortable air delivery, as it reduces ducts to a minimum.”

McAlpine’s Commitment
Located on Grand Cayman, McAlpine Ltd. is the Caribbean office for Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd., which has offices throughout the United Kingdom. According to the building and civil engineering company, it was founded in 1869 and has maintained a leadership through “dynamism, [a] pioneering approach to construction and commitment to service.

“We aim for excellence in design and construction, matched by the highest standards of management and technical skills,” the company says. “Our continued success is underpinned by the quality and expertise of our staff, our collaborative approach to business and our skill at providing our clients with cost-effective solutions to construction challenges.”

Robert McAlpine Ltd. also places a strong focus on corporate responsibility. “People are at the heart of what we do, from our staff, clients and supply chain to our neighbors and the wider community,” it says. “We aim to minimize the impact of our activities on stakeholders and the environment in order to operate a successful business in a way that is safe, sustainable and socially responsible.”

For instance, last year, the company diverted 92 percent of construction, demolition and excavation waste from landfills. “The principles of corporate social responsibility have been an intrinsic part of our business for many years and are central to our long-term strategy,” it says.

“Health and safety is of paramount importance to us, and we are committed to reducing accidents, improving occupational health regimes and increasing training and awareness,” the company continues. “Sustainability is built into our projects from the outset and affects all aspects of operations on-site from selection of materials to waste management. We also look to maximize the benefits we deliver to those affected by our operations and, where we can, try to ensure the communities in which we work see tangible economic and social gains. To achieve our goals, we need the highest-quality staff, and we continue to recruit, train, develop and retain the best available talent.”