-named after late Brigadier Beaton
The Brigadier Gary Beaton Aerodrome in Eteringbang was officially commissioned yesterday. The aerodrome was built at a cost of $688.8 million. It replaces the deteriorated laterite airstrip with a 610-meter reinforced concrete runway, designed to last over 20 years and ensure year-round reliability according to a release from the public works ministry.
The facility is expected to serve as a vital hub for the Eteringbang community, supporting the mining sector and enhancing connectivity in Region 7.
Named in memory of the late Brigadier Gary Beaton, who died in December 2023 while en route to inspect the works at Eteringbang, the aerodrome also honours the contributions of the late engineer Dion Amsterdam, who played an instrumental role in its development.
During the dedication ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Ken Liverpool, who supervised the project, expressed pride in completing the airstrip, noting its vital role in improving transportation, boosting economic activity, and enhancing security in the border region. He highlighted the challenges of constructing the aerodrome in a tropical forest prone to heavy rainfall, which made logistics and material sourcing particularly difficult.
Lieutenant Colonel Morley, the project engineer, provided an overview of the project, which spanned 28 months and involved over 240 personnel. Key highlights included “transforming a grass and lateritic airstrip into a durable, concrete-paved aerodrome, casting 700 concrete slabs to ensure a stable, all-weather surface along with Training GDF soldiers and staff in various construction roles, enhancing workforce skills”.
He added that the airstrip “will serve as a key transportation link, connecting Eteringbang with neighbouring regions and enabling easier movement of goods and services providing tactical advantages to the GDF and improved safety for local residents who previously faced threats from criminal elements during cargo transport”.
Over the last two years, residents of Eteringbang had complained about a surge in crime in the community. They have also expressed concern about interceptions in the Cuyuni River by armed men believed to be from Venezuela.
