Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

88 occupying the entire seventh floor. There was also much speculation about who would declare the building open. The Frank Collymore Hall was handed over on August 29, 1986 and was first used on Saturday, September 6, 1986, when the Bank’s staff put on a performance that also allowed for testing of the sound and lighting systems. The official opening of the new complex took place on September 18 and was attended by many foreign dignitaries, representing central banks and financial institutions from around the world. The structure was blessed by Anglican Bishop of Barbados, the Very Reverend Drexel Gomez. Governor-General Sir Hugh Springer, who represented the Government of Barbados, in the absence of any member of the Barbados Cabinet, cut the ribbon to declare the complex officially open. Gloria Blackman, the wife of the governor, performed a similar function for the Frank Collymore Hall, while Ellice Collymore unveiled a bronze bust of her late husband which had been sculpted by Karl Broodhagen. Allyson Leacock, a former radio personality, was appointed the first manager of the Hall, which held its grand première two days later. Despite arguments by the management that the building would be a physical and cultural asset to the Church Village (and the wider community), some opposition to the headquarters was maintained to the very end. Even as it was being occupied, questions were still being asked about the costs, which had escalated significantly during the construction. At end-1983, total construction costs had been estimated at $64 million, but the Annual Report for 1987 indicated price tags of $82.7 million and $6.9 million, respectively, for the main building and the Frank Collymore Hall. 54 TheBank’smanagement sought to counter some of the comments about the building costs by staging an 11-day programme to mark the opening. The activities included a seminar on September 19 on The Future of Central Staff packing documents at the Treasury Building prior to moving to Church Village.