Down

with it!

by ADONIJAH and TREVOR YEARWOOD

KNOCK DOWN the ruins at Farley Hill!

That's the call from veteran promoter Al Gilkes yesterday at the launch of Reggae Festival 2009 at Divi Southwinds Hotel, St Lawrence, Christ Church.

And while Gilkes got instant backing from Independent Member of Parliament Hamilton Lashley, who was present and called on Government to "support the initiative", Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy is not so sure.

Yesterday, while on a tour of Long Beach, Sealy in response said: "I would encourage us to approach the issue gingerly.

"Farley Hill has long been a location for rest, recreation, relaxation for many a Barbadian. To transform it into exclusively a mass entertainment venue may not be the best approach. We promote Barbados as a heritage tourism destination and in the scheme of things Farley Hill has been important."

But Gilkes told the Press: "There are fears about the numbers at Farley Hill. Farley Hill has no limitations in terms of the numbers it can accommodate. The problem is the derelict building."

Gilkes, co-director of FAS Entertainment, producers of the festival, said that since the minor earthquake here in 2007, the number of people allowed near the ruins, where the stage is usually located, had been significantly reduced.

"I think the time has come, and I know I will be crucified for this, for the National Conservation Commission and the relevant authorities to demolish that building," said the promoter.

Earth tremor

"It serves no purpose. Tourists can no longer pose on the walls or walk through. If there is another earth tremor it will come down. Demolition will allow us in the entertainment industry to accommodate another 2 000 people in that space and release some congestion."

He added: "Demolition would also allow us to position the stage to cater to the north section. Right now we directly cater only to the eastern side. People would also not have to be packed like sardines.

"For the last two years we have had daylight screens but people prefer to see the person on stage."

However, Gilkes' idea isn't sitting well with conservationists Professor Henry Fraser and archaeologist and historian Dr Karl Watson.

Fraser called the suggestion "totally crazy" and Watson dismissed it as a bad idea reflecting the "push-down mentality".

But Lashley is supporting Gilkes: "I want to support the call for the demolition of the ruins at Farley Hill. The curators of our heritage will object, but it is only a matter of time before the ruins collapse. Common sense says to get rid of the structure now. Barbados will have a permanent venue for international shows. Government should support this initiative."

Lashley complimented the National Cultural Foundation for moving its calypso semi-finals and Party Monarch shows to Farley Hill, but warned Gilkes to "prepare for the backlash".

Sealy said if there was heritage value in the ruins, then the necessary preservation work should be done.