AT THE WHEEL. Minister of the Environment Elizabeth Thompson in the driver's seat of the new tram, during the final tour of Harrison's Cave on Friday. In the background is former Chairman of Caves of Barbados, Anthony Audain.

by DONNA SEALY

CHINA STATE CORPORATION will be undertaking the redevelopment work at Harrison's Cave.

Minister of the Environment, Elizabeth Thompson, announced on Friday that the 15-month project will cost $34 million. Work is set to begin on July 15.

After thousands of tours and rave reviews over the last 25 years, the cave, located in Allen View, St Thomas, was closed to the public on Friday.

The minister said it was not an end but "a transition intended to give the cave a new lease on life as Barbados' premier natural attraction and to reinforce this designation.

"Work in the cave and the valley floor will be given priority so that Caves of Barbados will be able to offer tours during Cricket World Cup 2007 and earn some revenue to assist with the redevelopment.

"The board's mandate is to ensure that the construction project is so phased as to allow a smooth transition and short-term opening, while at the same time ensuring that the contractors make no claim for demobilisation and remobilisation.

"In essence, the cave's redevelopment must be seen in the context of conservation, community, culture, the company and it's corporate governance," said Thompson.

State-of-the-art trams, including one for wheelchair-bound visitors; vendors' kiosks, an amphitheatre, and a car park with 114 parking spaces – some designated for the disabled, are some of the features projected for the new facility. They will be built atop the cliff.

Sixty-five per cent of the redevelopment cost is expected to be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and 35 per cent by Government, she said.

The minister said the cave was a "vulnerable eco-system subject to pollution from pesticides used in agriculture, animal waste, and a range of contaminants".

A water treatment plant will be installed, rain and grey water will be used for irrigation, extensive composting done, and solar power will be used to provide 30 per cent of the cave's energy requirements.