Marine Learning Resource Centre under construction at Riley Hill

Earlier this year, the Grenadine island of Canouan received much media attention for becoming the 22nd destination that airline company LIAT travels to. Next year it is set to engage media attention once more, when St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ first completely environmentally friendly facility is built at Riley Hill.{{more}}

According to Elena Korach, General Manager at Caribbean Construction Association (CCA), the facility, which is currently under construction, is estimated to be complete in March 2010 at a cost of EC$1.6 million; and will be solely powered by solar energy. The “green’ facility will provide training and education about energy and marine conservation, marine life and other such environmental concerns. It will also double as a resource and learning centre, and is expected to service the people of Canouan, as well as tourists. Korach also announced that a small bar facility will be included in anticipation that the site be hired out for weddings, birthdays and other social events.

Edwin Snagg, Director of Grenadines Affairs, visited the construction site along with government and CCA officials. Snagg divulged that the facility would function in conjunction with the Fisheries Division and is being viewed as “a welcome addition to the environmental thrust.”

Snagg also pointed out that given its location, the marine resource centre will be “uniquely poised” to take advantage of the island’s barrier reef – reputed by locals to be one of the longest in the Caribbean. “We know it will be useful to the people of Canouan, the rest of the Grenadines and St. Vincent!” he declared. (JSV)