I took a tour of JC with Principal Wayne this morning. The process of damage assessment is ongoing as it is a huge campus and damage can occur from leaks and seepage which are not apparent from the outside.

Hurricane Melissa damage at Jamaica College

There are several trees down which will have to be cut and removed.

Trees down on the JC campus

A huge tree fell onto the dorm manager's house from the Trade Union complex next door, damaging both the fence and the house.

Tree damage to the dorm manager's house

The ceiling caved in onto the downstairs bathroom in the new business unit area. This may be a sign that there are problems upstairs in the Robotics room.

Ceiling collapse in the new business unit area

We lost some of the roof on the first form block. This had been recently repaired by the Ministry. The extent of it cannot be seen from below and it has to be accessed and assessed from the roof. Water damage from this is ongoing.

Roof damage on the first form block

Roof damage on the first form block

The ceiling along the passageway in the Alexander Block has given way. The water damage extended to the rooms nearby and Computer Lab D has been damaged by the compromised internal ceiling and resulting water inflow. This is a sensitive area as it houses 3 computer labs and 2 STEAM rooms.

Ceiling collapse in the Alexander Block passageway

Water damage near Computer Lab D

Water also came into Simms Building and did damage to the Sixth Form area and Staff Room. All of the corridor ceiling outside the staff room has to be fixed.

There are signs of new water damage and bubbles under the Ashenheim Track in the 200M area. The Staff Room on the fourth form block opposite the Gore Building has serious leaks as the membrane has lifted and water is coming in.

Water damage in Simms Building

Further damage assessed during the tour

Some of the damage is as a result of old problems and an under-maintained building complex. Funding is severely needed to address both new and pre-existing issues. We will coordinate with other stakeholders.

Lance Hylton Chairman, Jamaica College Board of Management