Contractors have made their first bids for an ambitious housing project in Sandys, according to West End Development Corporation Chairman Walter Lister.WEDCO’s pre-bid meeting in Dockyard attracted about 30 contracting representatives, Mr Lister said.“We made a presentation of the project as to what it entails, and also put out bids so they could fill out information such as experience and ability to deal with matters,” he said. “Only two bids went out.“That was for the trenching and insulation of the sewage treatment plant at Boaz Island to connect to the water treatment plant in Dockyard.”The laying of new water lines ties in with Wedco’s plans for 100 new homes to replace elderly units at Victoria and Albert Row.Tendering and financing for the $36 million project has drawn repeated Opposition flak. Mr Lister said further bids will go out “in a short period of time” for more advanced phases of the project.The contract for trenching and pipe-laying should be awarded “within two weeks”, he added.“We hope to use both large and small companies for the job,” he said.Monday night’s two-hour meeting at Dockyard’s victualling yard was a chance for interested parties to ask questions about the project, and how jobs will be awarded.“There will be no more meetings per se, but we will put tenders out in the usual way.”The housing and infrastructure project is to be financed by Wedco, and will use precast housing units as a cost-saving measure.Useful website: www.thewestend.bm.