A labour of love for a popular Hamilton venue came to a close yesterday with a celebratory roof-wetting ceremony for the new Pier 6 complex on Front Street.

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, told the gathering outside the former cruise ship terminal that a seemingly simple job had turned more complicated as contractors delved into the structure.

The modernised building now has a substantial new look with views on to Hamilton Harbour that offer “one of the best vistas in all of Bermuda”, Mr Gosling said.

“This project was undertaken in the middle of Covid and for the very good reason that we felt Bermuda needed to get back to work — and this was a wonderful opportunity for us to help.”

But when the job got under way in July 2021, he said workmen discovered “some surprises”.

They ranged from lintels that were “compromised or non-existent” to a rampant termite infestation in the roof.

“What was a nice revamp of Pier 6 turned pretty much into a rebuild,” Mr Gosling said. “But here we are.”

Originally called the No 6 Shed, Pier 6’s upper level is “essentially new”, he added.

Thanking everyone involved in the project, the mayor said: “What we have here is a fine, fine list of Bermudian contractors who exemplify, as does this finished product, our catchphrase for the city: ‘Hamilton — Bermuda at its best’.”

As he cracked open a bottle of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum to pour on the roof, Mr Gosling told onlookers: “Trust me, there’s only one product you can use for this.”

Patrick Cooper, the city engineer, told The Royal Gazette: “We figure this building has got to be more than 100 years old — so it was due for a revamp.

“The roof was a wooden structure. When we went in and got to work, we found it so riddled with termites, we couldn’t do anything with it.

“That was the biggest change we had to go through.”

Windows overlooking the harbour are larger, and the balcony is accessed through three doors where formerly there was one.

A freshly equipped kitchen for catering comes with a new staff room and storage space.

The event space is now separate from the access to bathrooms and the building has AV equipment for presentations as well as wi-fi.

Mr Cooper said: “It’s a lot more user-friendly with air conditioning throughout, and the bigger windows give us a lovely view out on to the harbour.”

The renovation has an estimated final cost of $2.5 million.

It was designed by architects Linberg Simmons, with interior design by Shelley Ray, of L&S Design. ABM’s Terry Barrow designed the lighting and mechanical systems.

Structural engineering came from Dave Ramrattan, of Entech, and Chris Bulley managed the project for the city.

Steve Cristofoli, of Gorham’s Management and Design, was the lead project manager who hired subcontractors Archway, Kaissa, Island Glass Windows and Doors, Air Pro, Batson Swan plumbing, Eminence, First Class Electric, Ad Hoc, A&B Contracting, Stafford Flooring, Pro Finish and BUE.