NEWS RELEASE
Rotary Schoolhouse opens as Children’s Garden Grows
Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS 4 April, 2019 — The new Children’s Garden at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park has been a flurry of activity the last few months. In March, a new education centre was completed and officially opened by His Royal Highness Charles the Prince of Whales during his recent visit to the Cayman Islands. This Rotary Schoolhouse is just the first step of the park’s Children’s Garden. Local Rotary clubs partnered with the Queen Elizabeth II, Botanical Park, to develop an innovative, botanical science and nature education building; that promises to ignite next generation curiosity and initiate interest in exploration of Cayman flora, endemic species and natural history.
Beginning in mid-2017 the three Rotary Clubs in Grand Cayman jointly committed $150,000 (KYD) as a major donor for construction of the Rotary Children’s Education Centre, now officially named the Rotary Schoolhouse. While visiting the Cayman Islands Dr. Patrick Adizua, District Governor of Rotary District 7020 toured the project site in July, 2018. With funding in place, construction started on foundations in December, 2018. Within four months the building was completed in time to be officially be open by the parks namesake’s son, Prince Charles
The education centre was designed pro-bono by; John Doak Architecture, APEC Consulting Engineers and Corporate Electric. Additional donations and support came from ITC Tile, AL Thompsons and Cayman Islands Roofing Company which helped reduce costs. McAlpine donated cedar planking; saved from the Airport’s former A-Frames, which were repurposed into benches and other furniture for the schoolhouse. Most of all, a big thank you to our contractor, Lalev Construction, for a job well done.
The Rotary Schoolhouse is located on the left, along the main tour path going south east, just past the Orchid Boardwalk. The schoolhouse will be surrounded by flourishing endemic flora, an expansive lawn area and other interactive elements that will create indelible memories, and positive stimulation for the many children that will be passing through.
Continued support and sponsorship for the remaining Children’s Garden is being provided by; Greenlight RE, Cayman National, Genesis Trust, Rawlinson & Hunter, Vigoro, Girl Guides Cayman Islands, the Garden Club of Grand Cayman, Krys Global and Associates, John Doak Architecture, Corporate Electric, Apec Consulting Engineers, and numerous other private donations have committed towards this valued monumental project. Additional donations are always welcome. Please contact John Lawrus, General Manager, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (345) 947 9462
The 65 acre, Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park was opened in memorable ceremony by Monarch, Her Royal Highness, Elizabeth II, on her second visit to the Cayman Islands as Head of State. The Park is located in tranquil Northside and is home to the world’s most endangered iguana species, the Cayman Islands endemic Blue Iguana, a Heritage Garden that features the trees that supported early Cayman settlers in conjunction with early Cayman pharmacy (medicinal plants), Lake and Wetlands, the Colour Garden, Old Cayman Home and Caboose and the Blue Iguana Recovery Project.
The Rotary Schoolhouse will seek to foster echo sensitivity, history, botanical science, art and conservation targeting next generation children in the Cayman Islands.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org
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Contact: Contact:
John Lawrus, General Manager Carl Brown, Director Public Relations
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park Rotary Central Cayman Islands www.RotaryCentral.ky
(345) 947 9462 (345) 916 2057
