The singing ceremony for the awarding of contracts for the refurbishment of the Blue Coral Building took place today Friday, September 30, 2005 at the National Insurance Corporation Conference Centre.

The former J.Q. Charles building is jointly owned by the National Insurance Corporation and the Bank of St. Lucia. Upon completion, it is expected to add a new dimension to shopping and a much needed face lift to the Castries City Centre, since it will have shopping units, a cinema, restaurants and a theatre among other attractions.

Among those singing this morning were:

• The main contractors, Lawrence and Associates who have been awarded the contract for EC$14 301,40.00
• Michel's Electrical and Building Contractors for the electrical works for EC$I,086,001.99
• Jules Enterprises Ltd to execute the plumbing works for EC$199,158.65.
• The Air Conditioning Contract was awarded to L. G. Engineering in the sum ofEC$I,747,542.70.

The architects are Newel Lewis Broadridge & Associates and Melon Design. The structural engineering services are provided by TWE Corporation.

Charles Heywood & Company Ltd is Project Manager and the National Insurance Property and Management Development Co. Ltd is providing Clerk of Work services.

The ground and first floors of the building are scheduled for completion and operation by December 2006 and the upper floors by February 2007.