After three years of careful
preparations the renovation and reconstruction works at the Calvin Nichols
Wildlife Aviary Complex, located within the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown, St.
Vincent, have been completed well in time for the upcoming cruise line tourist
season that runs from October to April each year. The Botanical Gardens in
Kingstown, established in 1767, are one of the oldest public gardens in the
Caribbean and are popular with tourists and locals alike: the aviary houses several
specimens of the colourful, noisy and unique St. Vincent parrot, pictured below, which is highly endangered and of which only around 700 birds remain.
The parrot is only found on the island of St. Vincent and an image appears on
one side of Loyal Bank’s EUR Cirrus / Maestro Bankcard.
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| The St. Vincent parrot |
This project was entirely funded by
Loyal Bank Limited at no cost to the taxpayer, and our contribution is attested
by a memorial plaque at the main entrance. As part of this project:
- Cages were repainted and repaired
- Dilapidated doors were replaced by long lasting and maintenance – free doors and gates made of heavy duty aluminium and greenheart, a very strong wood similar to mahogany with an inbuilt resistance to insect attack
- Two new visitors viewing benches were built of concrete and greenheart wood
- Unsafe walls and railings were renewed and extended
- Worn paving was replaced
Loyal Bank has been a dedicated
supporter of social and environment protection projects in St. Vincent since
our opening in 1997. Over the years the Bank has donated funds on numerous
occasions for one-time charitable events as well as on-going projects. The
renovation of the Aviary Complex is part of the bank’s on-going support for
community – focused projects in St. Vincent that benefit society and the
environment.
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| The memorial plaque |
The official handing-over ceremony
and unveiling the plaque took place on the 4th of October, 2013 in the
presence of representatives of the authorities in charge, Loyal Bank and the
local TV, radio and print media. Stephen Kostyal, Chairman of Loyal Bank formally
declared the facility open and Agnes Varga, Chief Operating Officer SVG and
Adrian Baron, CEO, where also there from the Bank. The authorities were
represented by Senior Forestry Supervisor, Mr. Cornelius Richards and Director
of Forestry, Mr. Fitzgerald Providence. Mr. Andrew Wilson, Director of National
Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority as well as Mr. Gordon Shallow, Curator of
the Botanical Gardens also passed their remarks at the handing-over ceremony.
For more on the history of the
Botanical Gardens please visit:
