Toco Lighthouse - A Proud Beacon Of History Restored
The historic Toco Lighthouse has been transformed into a sight to behold - standing as a proud beacon on Trinidad's Northeast Coast.
The Toco Lighthouse, which was first opened in 1897, has now been refurbished into a centre for tourism and community activity, designed to provide recreational and leisure opportunities for visitors.
The exterior of the Lighthouse tower has been restored and the Lightkeeper's building repaired to secure this national landmark. Visitors to the Toco Lighthouse can be assured of their security with the installation of safety barriers securing the boundaries to the site. And to ensure a completely enjoyable visit for locals and tourists alike, the Toco Lighthouse now boasts the addition of outdoor furniture, including three carat sheds and 10,000 square feet car park.
Water cisterns have been restored, minor plumbing and electrical repairs have been completed, and signage has been added to guide visitors and the landscape enhanced to greater enjoyment of the spectacular northeast coast's flora and fauna.
The upgrading and restoration Lighthouse was a collaborative project of the Tourism Development Company, the Maritime Services Division of the Ministry of Transport and Historical Restoration Unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation and the Turtle Village Trust,
Speaking at the official unveiling of the new and improved heritage site on September 19, Tourism Minister Dr the Honourable Rupert Griffith described the Toco Lighthouse as a historic building and an important centre for tourism and community activity.
"The Ministry of Tourism is proud to support projects that preserve our country's heritage while creating local economic opportunities.
"With support from the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation and the Turtle Village Trust, we were able to properly preserve this valuable tourist attraction and better serve visitors with a unique experience," he said.
The Minister congratulated all the partners involved in what he said was "the exceptional work done to restore the architecture of the Toco Lighthouse."
"This is a perfect example of what can be done with public-private partnership and the involvement of the community," he said.
The newly enhanced and upgraded Toco Lighthouse is not only an enjoyable leisure and recreational destination for nationals; is also an important site for tourists to get a snapshot of Trinidad and Tobago's history.
For more information on the Toco Lighthouse please contact the TDC’s Corporate Communications Unit at 868-675-7034 ext 242.
|
Media Center
