The restroom facility under construction at the top of The Baths, January 19, 2013.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

The restroom facility under construction at the top of The Baths, January 19, 2013.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

The contractor for the long overdue restroom facilities at the top of The Baths, Virgin Gorda (VG), is hopeful that the project will be completed by next month.

The project has undergone several delays; however, when contacted, Wayne O'Neal denied claims that the project is currently stalled by the current administration.

O'Neal briefly told BVI Platinum News that work is underway and they are currently carrying out works on the interior of the building.

"No, no; the project was not stalled. Works are underway. We are in our final stages right now," he stated.

He said they are targeting a deadline early next month.

There have been reports that since the National Democratic Party (NDP) took up office, the project which was started under the former Virgin Islands Party Government was halted.

O'Neal said when the facility is completed, it will be first class and will have among other things, handicap access, dispensers and baby changers.

"It will have all the necessary stuff. It will be fully equipped," O'Neal stated.

Earlier this month, Russell Harrigan, Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board (TB) made known his concerns over the lack of restroom facilities at The Baths, which continues to be a concern for many, including visitors.

Harrigan said as a board, they are not pleased with the current situation, but works are underway to have the restrooms.

"We are aggressively trying to make sure that those rooms are opened. A matter of fact, it's one of the first areas of attack that our new Director has been looking at, because as you know this time of the year is when we get most of our visitors and we are not particularly pleased about the situation," he stated during a recent press conference.

The restrooms on the beach at The Baths, January 19, 2013.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

The restrooms on the beach at The Baths, January 19, 2013.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith in response to a question by the media briefly stated, "As far as I know it's being worked on..."

Meanwhile, Harrigan said they are having internal discussions on which agency should be responsible for public restrooms.

"We are also having discussions internally about where restrooms should sit; is it a responsibility for the board? The Premier has asked his Minister for Natural Resources to put in a beach policy and doing some considerable upgrades to the beaches. Should that migrate from us to them? But that's an internal discussion, but the point that you are raising about The Baths is the one that we are keen to ensure that it is functioning and up to speed," Harrigan stated.

The issue surrounding public restroom facilities at The Baths is not a new one and persons have been calling for such facilities for several years, as it is an area where tourists frequent.