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PHILIPSBURG--Rain Forest Adventures (RFA) recently shared its plans for the Plantations Industry and Golden Rock (commonly called Emilio Wilson Estate) with members of the heritage, culture and environmental groups as well as other stakeholders.
"The meeting ended in a commitment to continue working together and incorporating best ideas and practices as the project develops," John Dalton of Rain Forest Adventures told The Daily Herald via e-mail on Sunday.
Dalton shared with attendees' his company's objective to showcase St. Maarten's past with "a tangible experience in a way that people will truly enjoy and remember."
He said that Rainforest Adventures as a newcomer to the country needed the guidance and support of all stakeholders to tell the cultural and natural history story of St. Maarten.
"We have a very real opportunity here to make St. Maarten the showcase of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean by creating a venue that is not just for the enjoyment of tourists but for the benefit of the people and natural environment of St. Maarten as well, Dalton wrote in the invitation to invitees.
RFA has committed to create the "Rocklands Estate Foundation" upon the opening of the zipline and chairlift park. This foundation will be funded by US $1 from each non-resident park ticket sold. The fund will be managed by three directors: one from government, one from a non-governmental organization and one from RFA. The fund will be used for an indigenous reforestation and crop planting programme, ongoing maintenance and upgrade of the Emilio Wilson Park, school participation and senior citizen visitation programmes.
He thanked long-time heritage conservation pioneer Elsje Bosch, director of St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation, for facilitating the meeting. The foundation runs the St. Maarten Museum in Speetjens Arcade.
At the meeting were Louis Brown of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, St. Maarten Archaeological Centre Simarc director Jay Haviser, Frank Arnell of Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Foundation, John Baker (IXI Design - project architect) and John Speetjens (tree nursery and planting expertise).
Invited but unable to attend was Tadzio Bervoets of Nature Foundation. He did not attend due to a missed flight.
Also not in attendance were Jadira Veen and Rueben Thompson of St. Maarten Pride Foundation and Emilio Wilson Estate Management Foundation.
Meanwhile, the long lease from government to RFA for the land in Cul de Sac has been through the complete review process and signed by both parties. It is still in the process of being notarized which must be completed prior to the first payment and possession of the property by RFA.
Financing is agreed upon and the details are in final review. Signing of supply contracts will occur shortly, said Dalton.
