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Not everyone will be happy, but news that work on Rockland Estate Rain Forest Adventure Park is to start this summer (see Saturday paper) should not surprise anybody. After all, it already was clear that the company had been awarded a long lease for the necessary land at Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE), even though Government at the request of Parliament bought that property from its private owners to preserve it as natural-cultural-historic patrimony.
The thought then obviously had been not to allow any major commercial development there, but the lease agreement at US $1.20 per square metre nonetheless was signed, also to help pay for the purchase. The latter basically meant the eco-adventure park opposed by several local environmentalists was still on, as the building and monument permits already had been acquired back in 2012 and will require only a few modifications.
Apparently the UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo/US Party coalition now supports this or at least isn't making any noise about it. People may think of that what they want, but it does regard a claimed investment of some US $13 million.
Moreover, concerns over the impact on L.B. Scott Road traffic reportedly are being addressed with a roundabout or turning lane at the entrance to be designed with input of the Ministry of Infrastructure. In addition, the – at least stated – intention is to cooperate with Emilio Wilson Cultural and Historical Park Foundation, St. Maarten Nature Foundation and others to create a "sustainable experience."
Perhaps most important, the venture promises to create 60 much-needed permanent jobs. At the same time the negative effect on nature is to be kept at a minimum and compensated with reforestation and ongoing maintenance of the adjacent Emilio Wilson Park, where the renovation of various existing features also is planned.
A nature park supposedly will be established on an appropriate yet-to-be-determined section of the project site, while the old plantation house is to be restored and used as a walk-through museum for all visitors. A school programme was announced as well.
With the growing number of guests who drive its one-pillar tourism economy, it's no secret that "The Friendly Island" well could use a new and interesting quality attraction to help keep the destination in the spotlight. If the idea really is to "accurately celebrate the history, culture and nature of St. Maarten" and the initiators make good on their word, the entire Rainforest Adventure saga might turn out to be a "win-win situation" after all.
