PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Infrastructure Theo Heyliger confirmed on Tuesday that a preliminary agreement is in place to purchase just about half of Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE), where most of the historical sites, including the home of the late Emilio Wilson, are located.
Heyliger said he could not disclose any financial figures because discussions still were being finalised. He said government's intention was to transform EWE into a national preserve.
Property owner Henri Brookson confirmed that discussions were ongoing and said he was hoping to reach an agreement.
Heyliger also confirmed that the necessary permits had been signed to allow Rainforest Adventures to establish a recreational park that would combine historical significance, environmental awareness and sustainability on about four per cent of the 436,237-square-metre existing property.
He explained that all historical structures would be restored and protected while the company executed its recreational park activities such as zip-lines, eco-tours to the top of Sentry Hill, etc.
He said approximately 50,000 visitors, were projected to use the facilities annually. That number should increase with use by residents and for school tours, etc.
From every ticket sold, US $2 will go towards conservation, restoration and upkeep efforts at EWE.
The Minister said St. Maarten, like other Caribbean destinations, must stay a step ahead by offering something new, other than sea, sun and sand, to its attractions.
Rainforest Adventures is also established in existing eco-adventure parks in Costa Rica, Dominica, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Some of these sites are also national historical sites.
St. Maarten Pride Foundation President Jadira Veen said Pride was not against the Rainforest Park, but "we are against the chosen location. If they want to go to Indigo, fine, or the Watheys' estate in Madam Estate, fine, or even Mullet Bay for a theme park, fine," she said.
She said signing of the permits prior to indicating how government would proceed in handling EWE could be classified as "our democracy under threat."
Veen said the Ministry's cancelling of last week's meeting on zoning plans for EWE and conservation zones was "very questionable, especially now that we hear he [Heyliger] already signed a building permit three weeks ago."
To that charge Heyliger explained that he would have been off-island at the time of the scheduled meeting and would prefer to be present at such a meeting, considering the outcome of a similar earlier meeting in Simpson Bay.
Veen also questioned the exact size of the property government intends to purchase from the property owner. "We hear from all corners ... government intends to buy 50 per cent, but at the meeting at the library we heard from the Rainforest people and Henri Brookson (the property owner) that government intends to buy something like 23 per cent. Our groups have been requesting government to buy the entire estate, not a piece. The entire estate is on the Monument list," she said.
She also stressed that despite Rainforest's promises of restoration, the company's main aim was to sell its chair lifts, not to sell history. She is also concerned about the increase of traffic (tour buses) in an area already congested with school-associated activities.
According to persons associated with the US $8-million project, it should create some 60 jobs once the construction is completed.
Science fiction Cricket Ireland Paul Myners Tromso Energy efficiency
No comments:
Post a Comment