As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) committed to the refurbishment and expansion of two fishing facilities— the Pile Bay Fishing Facility completed and re-opened in 2021 and the Millie Ifill Fishing Facility at Weston, St. James, where works are underway.
The existing Weston facility was constructed in 1997 as an upgrade the secondary fish landing site at Reads Bay. It however fell into a state of decline.
The initiative is part of a wider undertaking of the Government of Barbados to upgrade the island’s fishing facilities.
The new Facility will boast:
- Main office
- Public toilet with disabled provisions
- Public shower
- Separate fish retail and processing areas
- Fisherman/ fisherwomen/ vendors bathrooms with showers
- Fishermen and fisherwomen outdoor shower
- General workers & staff bathroom with showers disabled inclusive
- General workers and staff lunchroom
- Vendors lunchroom
- New shutters for building
- New ice machine
- Chiller room
- Walk-in freezer
- High tech security system
- Fish offal storage
- Disabled access throughout the building
- Potable water storage
- Boat haul out slipway
- Outdoor vending
- Improved sidewalk with disabled access
BPI is committed to minimizing disruption of the environs while working to deliver this transformative project for the Weston community. Similar to other large-scale community developmental projects, the Millie Ifill Fish Market project is expected to demonstrate a high level of benefits including enhanced social experiences for residents and visitors and improved infrastructural development.
Start date: To be announced
Duration: 12 months
Beneficiaries: Fisherfolk, Boat owners, Residents, Facility visitors
Financiers: Barbados Port Inc.
Architect: Ms. Rianne Greaves, Greaves Designs and Project Management Services
Contractors: Empire Building and Construction
Status: Active
