Ian Levy (centre), director of Supreme Ventures, presents a $2 million cheque to John Thompson, chairman of Nature Preservation Foundation, operators of the Hope Zoo and Hope Gardens, while Karl Binger (left), executive director of the foundation, looks on. Supreme Ventures has committed a total of $6 million over three years towards the development of the attractions. - CONTRIBUTED
HOPE GARDENS has been designated the official Team Jamaica Entertainment Location and the Cultural Family Centre for ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007.
The venue has been selected to showcase the Jamaican culture for the thousands of visitors expected to come to the island for the event, said Karl Binger, executive director of the Nature Preservation Foundation -
operators of the Hope Gardens and Hope Zoo.
He also said that a substantial amount of money has been donated by corporate Jamaica to assist in preparing the facilities for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and other events.
LATEST SPONSORS
Among the latest sponsors are three of Jamaica's leading corporations - Supreme Ventures, the Jamaica National Foundation and Capital and Credit - which have collectively donated a total of $10.5 million - most of which will be used to assist in financing the operational and management aspects of the Hope Gardens and Hope Zoo.
Mr. Binger said leading the three is Supreme Ventures which has donated $2 million a year over the next three years, totalling $6 million; Jamaica National Foundation which will give $1 million a year for three years, or a total of $3 million, and Capital and Credit, which has donated a total of $1.5 million over the next three years, to be handed over in three tranches of $500,000 each.
Mr. Binger said a number of projects will also be undertaken over the next three to five years utilising funds donated by corporate Jamaica. These include the first phase of the new Hope Zoo and projects such as the erection of a gazebo; picnic tables; garbage receptacles; a paddock for horses, especially in view of the fact that the Mounted Police patrols the premises at least twice a week.
