Assembly Building to Get Much Needed Makeover

Since it was inaugurated in October 1970, very little has been done to modernize the Assembly Building, the seat of power in Belize’s administrative capital.  Several months ago, it was announced that the historic edifice will undergo much needed renovation and that the National Assembly will be relocated temporarily to the George Price Center in Belmopan until work on the building have been completed.  Ahead of the remodeling, which is set to begin sometime in July, a series of consultations are being held with various stakeholders, including the media, on practical ways to improve the structure to enhance the visitor experience.  Today, House Speaker Valerie Woods discussed the round of meetings and what can be expected from the rehabilitation of the building.

 

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“Accessibility, a more modernized institution, one that will facilitate more inclusiveness by way of having a lift for those who have mobility issues and understanding that in 2024, the building and the institution has to be remodeled in a way that it accommodates women.  We didn‘t have them, we didn‘t have those amenities in place.  Flow, for both staff, for members, for media, as well, recognizing that the media is an important part of the institution and there has to be a space that is designed with that in mind and it‘s not an afterthought.  The public as well, and then the police, because you know the police provides security for the parliament but as the presiding officer, I don‘t necessarily know what they are dealing with outside.  And so it was important for us to get a perspective from them, in terms of the challenges they experience, so that the design can accommodate as best as it can and within the parameters of the budget, of course.  So we‘ve met with the senate, we‘ve had consultations along with the house committee.  We‘ve obviously met with the media, we‘ve met with the staff, and the police and we‘ve done that because before we get to the point of final design, it was important that we didn‘t hand down something but try our best within the parameters of the budget and the timeline to incorporate as much as we could from those who use the space on a regular basis.”