A large building in St David’s is to be converted into a residential facility for seniors, the Minister of Public Works has announced.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch was joined yesterday by Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, and Andrew Dias, the general manager of the Bermuda Land Development, to invite submissions from developers to modify the property.

The building at 1 Longfield road in St George’s is owned by BLDC, which has been considering options for the site after the departure of the Government’s Information and Digital Technologies Department and one other tenant.

Colonel Burch said: “We are here to announce the soon-to-be launched BLDC solicitation of interest to repurpose Channel House into a fully-operational, seniors residential living facility.

“This endeavour aligns perfectly with the Government’s vision and National Seniors Strategy to create a Bermuda that caters to the needs of our ageing population and fosters an environment of dignity and support for them.

“The National Seniors Strategy is a comprehensive framework that has been meticulously designed to address the evolving needs of our senior community and to create an environment where they can age gracefully with the support they deserve.

“It is a testament to this government’s deep-seated belief that the changing needs of Bermuda’s seniors must be met through a holistic and cost-effective approach. This initiative is of such significance as it represents a pivotal step towards fulfilling our commitment to providing additional quality accommodations for our senior citizens.“

Colonel Burch highlighted the “storied history” of Channel House. He said that along with its strategic location, it had the potential to become a “cornerstone” in the Government’s mission to address the changing needs of the ageing population.

The three-storey property was built by the US Navy in 1942 and renovated in 1990 and 1999.

Colonel Burch added: “The plan is to partner with a community-minded developer to convert this property into a state-of-the-art facility, equipped to cater to the needs and comforts of our seniors.

“We encourage all interested parties to look forward to the release of the SOI next week and to make their submissions by the required deadline. The submissions will be evaluated based on feasibility, design and costing culminating in a comprehensive management plan that includes staffing and day-to-day operations.

“We see Channel House as a symbol of opportunity and hope for seniors in Bermuda. This SOI is a call to action, an invitation to the best and brightest minds to come forward with innovative ideas that will enhance the quality of life for our seniors.”

The deadline for submissions will be at the end of January.

Colonel Burch would not say how much the project would cost. “That is what the process is about ― to figure out what it is going to cost. We wouldn’t put that in the public domain at this stage as that removes the need for people to do their homework.”

He said the Government had not put a cost cap on the project and that it was too early to know how many seniors could live at the property.

Asked about the cost of rent for future tenants, Colonel Burch added: “It will be very similar to the process that is used with the Bermuda Housing Trust that has a community on Southside Park at Ferguson Park and various other areas across the island. The idea will be to have the rent at a reasonable rate so that seniors can afford to live independently.”

He said the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors and the Ministry of Public Works were all involved in the project.

Ms Furbert said: “The opportunity for conversion of Channel House into a seniors residential living facility marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards providing for Bermuda’s ageing population.

“This initiative signifies not just a physical transformation but a commitment to ensuring housing options remain for our seniors.

“Together we are paving the way for a future where seniors in Bermuda can be supported and recognised as an important part of an inclusive community.”