he St. George?s Foundation recently celebrated the completion of the first phase of the restoration of the World Heritage Visitors Centre on Penno?s Wharf.

The first phase was completed on July 20, one year after the Foundation broke ground for the restoration of the Queen?s Warehouse, which was built almost 150 years ago.

?The World Heritage Visitors Centre, gifted by The Corporation of St. George to The St. George?s Foundation for its restoration, will be a first-class visitor orientation and educational facility designed to enhance the visitor experience and enable full appreciation of what the Town has to offer,? a statement from the Foundation said.

?The completion of Phase One restoration is a milestone occasion for the Foundation, for St. George?s, and for Bermuda,? said Henry Hayward, chairman of the St. George?s Foundation. ?We believe the World Heritage Visitors Centre will be an important education and tourism product, and will create life and activity in the Penno?s Wharf area. Additionally, it will inspire visits to all museums in Bermuda.?

The Visitors Centre will be a focal point for St. George?s and will help to bring the history of the Town, and of Bermuda, vividly to life, the statement said, adding:?It will be a wonderful teaching resource for Bermuda?s students who will be able to view Bermuda?s history through film and interpretive exhibits, and then explore the Town of St. George where they will appreciate the treasures of Bermuda?s World Heritage Site.?

The Bank of Bermuda Foundation was the single largest Foundation donor to the World Heritage Visitors Centre and has supported the work of the Town Heritage Plan and The St. George?s Foundation since the mid 1990s, the statement said. The first phase was budgeted to cost $1.7 million.

During this year, the Government of Bermuda has made a significant grant award to the World Heritage Visitors Centre which will support design and fabrication of exhibits, materials, and interior fittings for the Centre and allows Phase Two restoration to begin, the statement said.

?It has taken much effort by volunteers, supporters and donors to reach this point,? says Sharon Jacobs, Executive Director of the St. George?s Foundation. ?And we thank them for their generous support.

?We thank our architects, OBM Limited, for their professional design and planning services related to the building?s conversion.

?We thank our contractor, A J Lewis Enterprise and his team, who completed this phase of work on time and on budget,? commented Mr. Hayward.

?Today is the result of a vision shared by many and it is wonderful to see the Queen?s Warehouse come alive,? commented Mrs. Jacobs. ?In future months we will plan some Open House days, so the general public may view the restoration.?

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