by Curlan Campbell
- $6 million towards rehabilitation of Fort George and relocation of police headquarters
- Rehabilitation of Fort George will be carried out by Sonrise Construction Inc
- Interpretation centre, vending booths, coffee and gift shops, parking lot and washrooms included in rehabilitation
The World Bank has made over $20 million available to be split between Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines to undertake projects to enhance tourism competitiveness. Grenada was able to access some $6 million towards the rehabilitation of Fort George and the relocation of the police headquarters.
A state-of-the-art interpretation centre, vending booths, coffee and gift shops, signage, a parking lot and washrooms are part of the rehabilitation of Fort George.
Minister of Infrastructure and Physical Development, Civil Aviation and Transportation Dennis Cornwall, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Lennox Andrews and Minister of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation (MIT) Andy Williams, were present during the sod-turning ceremony held on Friday 6, January 2023 at Fort George to signal the start of the rehabilitation. The project is part of the OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project and is expected to benefit entrepreneurs working directly or indirectly within the tourism industry, including hotels, travel agencies, taxi drivers, and tourism guides.
Based on the World Bank regional resettlement policy framework, one of the objectives is to facilitate access and movement of travellers through a pilot ferry service, rehabilitate select tourism sites such as Fort George in Grenada, Fort Charlotte in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Castries in St Lucia, and help position these countries as one multi-island travel destination.
“As we rehabilitate this place, the history will be reflected in that rehabilitation, but more than that the rehabilitation of this place will serve as a model, as an example, and as a pilot for other historical sites that we have in Grenada. It will bring out the ideas of how we should go about restoring historical sites to ensure that the architectural designs and whatever history that place is famous for is restored and maintained,” said Minister Andrews.
Built from 1706 to 1710 on an early battery erected by the French in the 1600s, Fort George was originally named Fort Royal, before being renamed Fort George in 1763, in honour of King George III of Great Britain. It still bears many of the historic elements, including many colonial structures like the parade, barracks, guardroom, gunpowder magazine, water cistern, sally port and firing galleries, that remain intact to this day.
Minister Williams said this project speaks volumes about the Government’s commitment to the implementation process of major projects. “My government heard your cries and moved swiftly to address your concerns by allowing MIT to lead the initiative while working collaboratively with the Ministry of Tourism and other ministries. As a Government, we remained committed to improving our implementation of projects, hence the early start of this project in 2023. Locals and visitors will therefore be exposed to improved facilities and an enriched tourism project.”
MP for the Town of St George Peter David was also present to congratulate the Government for commencing the project.
“We appreciated the many people that continue to work for the successful completion of the project. We have always advocated for improving our various sites around the town as tourist attractions. The tercentennial park is just a few metres away, and the cruise ship terminal and Market Square are all sites that mean a lot to our tourism industry. I look forward to working with you on this and other projects that will enhance the Town of St George.”
The rehabilitation of Fort George will be carried out by contractor Sonrise Construction Inc. The former headquarters of the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) at Fort Frederick will now house the headquarters of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).
Finally, this is long overdue! Now however the government needs to go further: restore York House, Government House and the Public Library. These are incredibly important, historic state buildings. They’re an indelible part of our national heritage and need to be saved
The rehab is good. The last time I visited the fort I was touched by preservation of this site where Maurice Bishop and other members of PRG were executed. It is tragic but it is part of our history. This historic event should be not eradicated. It should be a place where people should visit to understand what happened there, I don’t like the idea of relocating the Police headquarters there. That would diminish the historical significance of the fort.
Mt Carmel falls can be made more attractive for tourism, it needs to be more safe with hand rails etc . Beautiful flowers can be grown , very fertile soil. Marquis is rich with historical events. Lots of land opposite the sea, nice place for a craft center : can make beautiful tee shirts , pottery and straw baskets and hats etc
We also have to make sure that all buildings are Handicap Accessibly.
No you don’t in this instance it is a historical site and it would be detrimental to the site.
I agree with some amenities like washrooms and a small coffee shop but why are you making a parking lot? Half the experience of Fort George is the climb to the height of land. Not all historical sites are accessible to everyone. Restoration of the site NOT vendors should be the focus. Tourists already are bombarded as they pass through the Esplanade. The point of a historical site is in fact the HISTORY not cluttering the place with vendors. Your small coffee area can manage some souvenirs. Do NOT ruin this site with UNNECESSARY and damaging construction. Tacky is not attractive.
Who is to manage the site??
Sounds great,all correct ‘ in expressions’ used by the ministers. But questions:-
who are the principals and shareholders of this construction company? what is this company’s track record?
was there a public call for tenders?
,did the Government hold prior consultations with the public to see what the public wanted at Ft George?
where can the public see the designs for this state of the art interpretation centre ,washrooms etc?
We are dealing with our cultural heritage
and our environment,here,new thinking our spatial landscape,so we await elucidation and are entitled to it.Thanks..
unfortunately your questions are three years too late
I think the broader question should be, seeing this is not Grenadian monies, how much say would Grenadian have in this undertaking?
This seems like a rewarding project; for country & tourism.
Let us hope that the money awarded for this project does go for this development.
In the last decade, so much of the other such funding seemed to vanish in thin air like all of the Shrimp Farm funds and our climate, blue economy and all of the other targets remain stagnant. Where is the Lady at the Integrity Commission when we pointing issues with that.
Long overdue. However, nationals should never be charged an entry fee. In fact, all tourist sites should be free of charge to nationals.
Why don’t you think you should support your tourism sites???in every other country EVERYONE pays admission to National Parks and such to be able to maintain them. The costs for misr Grenada sites are reasonable. Most Grenadians don’t even pay income tax.