CUL-DE-SAC — Just when you thought that the 360 degree view from the crest of Sentry Hill, the highest point of the Rain Forest Adventure Park on Rockland Estate, provided the wow factor. The 45 second adrenaline rush trip down the Flying Dutchman was designed to take one’s breath away, literally.
Yesterday’s official opening ceremony, which was overshadowed by intermittent rain, was historical in many ways. It was the very first time that so many high ranking Goverment officials including the Governor of St Maarten Eugene Holiday and Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo converged in one spot that offered such an amazing view.
The first time that Chef Dino Jagtiani and his well trained staff had the pleasure of serving a variety of finger foods at such a height. While on the topic of height, it was also the first time that some of those specially invited guests sipped alcoholic and non-alchoholic beverages at such a height, although refrained from consuming too much just to be on the safe side.
“We are here to celebrate with the people that helped to make this a successful venture moving forward ,” said Shaydar Edelmann, General Manager of Rainforest Adventures in his opening remarks to the gathering before introducing Vosef Preschel, the President of Rainforest Adventures.
“Thank you all for being here with us, what a day, rain, sun, this is the highest point on St .Maarten with a view of the French side, Simpson Bay and Philipsburg. It’s a unique location on a unique destination and one where we are proud to be a partner with the community,” Preschel said.
Before he elaborated on the topic at hand, Preschel spoke a little about what went on during the initial phases of the project which took place eight years ago. “I was called at Sea Trade and told that I had to meet someone that has been instrumental in the development of the tourism industry on St. Maarten, so I met Mr. Heyliger who invited me to create an attraction, ” he pointed out.
Preschel went on to describe a trip up Sentry Hill as the ‘Aha’ moment: this is special, that’s the French side and those are our neighboring islands. “There is no other place like this location and we were very grateful, but the challenge was to create a destination to adhere to our mission which had three components. The conservation of the environment, the education of the visitors, members of the community and the ability to be a profitable corporation.
He described the Emilio Wilson Estate as extremely unique with development taking place on both sides of the pristine property. “We constructed a project which impacted less than five percent of the state, the construction team is 99 percent local and some of them are now part of the staff,” he added.
In her short address to the gathering on behalf of the Goverment of St. Maarten, Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo said that it was a pleasure to be there for such an important event.
“The official opening of this facility marks yet another milestone in the recovery process for St. Maarten. Rainforest Adventures on Rockland Estate is a wonderful addition to our tourism excursion product line.”
As our island continues to rebuild and resuscitate the dynamic economy of past years, projects like this will become the corner stones on which that new economy will stand. The Goverment welcomes more eco-friendly investments such as this one that has minimum impact on the environment,” the Prime Minister said.
She expressed her satisfaction after looking around to so many local young familiar faces and noted that they are all poised to build a long lasting career in the hospitality industry. “From my experience, the staff is friendly, well trained in customer service and most importantly in the safety protocols that have been implemented.”
Governor Holiday had the last official say before the cutting of the ribbon. “Today’s grand opening represents a new chapter in the evolution of this area from former plantation to eco-park for visitors and residents.
This evolution interconnects St Maarten’s former plantation economy with St. Maarten’s current tourism economy. An evolution which because of this unique site has the potential to interconnect our culture, our environment, our heritage and our tourism” Governor Holiday said.
He took the opportunity of pointing out the significance of the event as an opportunity and responsibility in the further development of heritage tourism on St. Maarten. ” I would like to extend a welcome to our guests and partners from overseas who have contributed to the realization of this magnificent project.”
The founder of the project, the president of Rain Forest Adventures and the VP for Carnival Cruise David Candib all came in for high praises. “Welcome to St Maarten and welcome as a partner in our tourism and economic development.”
Governor Holiday was assisted by Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo and Preschel in the cutting of the ribbon to declare the multi-million tourism attraction opened officially.
Photo caption: Photos by Milton Pieters of the official opening of the Rockland Estate. More photos online on our Facebook page here>>>
