The St. George?s Foundation has completed the first phase of the restoration of its $6 million World Heritage Visitors? Centre.

And Government has donated $1 million to support the design and fabrication of exhibits, materials, and interior fittings for the 145-year-old Queen?s Warehouse at Penno?s Wharf, St. George?s.

Phase one of the construction was the initial clearing out and refinishing of the warehouse, in order for the exhibits, including a movie theatre, to be installed.

?To support phase two of the Centre, a grant of $1 million has been awarded to the Foundation by the Government,? executive director of the St. George?s Foundation Sharon Jacobs said yesterday.

The St. George?s Foundation?s capital campaign has so far raised $8.4 million and a portion of this money is dedicated to restoration of the warehouse.

The project to totally restore the warehouse ? hailed as the new gateway into the old Town ? is budgeted at $6 million.

However, Mrs. Jacobs expected the restoration to be under-budget. ?The expected cost of the first phase is $1.8 million,? she said.

?Phase one brought the building up to occupancy standards,? she said.

?New air conditioning is throughout the building, they installed a new bathroom, and a new staircase,? she said.

New windows, doors, flooring were installed and roof repairs were carried out.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place 12 months ago and restoration has been taking place ever since.

Chairman of the St. George?s Foundation Henry Hayward said yesterday the completion of phase one was a ?milestone occasion? for St. George?s and Bermuda.

?We believe the World Heritage Visitors Centre will be an important education and tourism product, and will create life and activity in the Penno?s Wharf area,? Mr. Hayward said. ?Additionally, it will inspire visits to all museums in Bermuda.?

Mrs. Jacobs said it would be a wonderful teaching resource for Bermuda?s students who will be able to view Bermuda?s history through film and interpretative exhibits, and then explore the Town of St. George where they will appreciate the treasures of Bermuda?s World Heritage Site.

The Bank of Bermuda Foundation is the single largest donor to the Centre.

Mrs. Jacobs thanked the Centre?s volunteers, supporters and donors, for their support and said a cocktail reception celebrating the completion of the first phase of construction will take place there at 6 p.m. on Friday.

?Today is the result of a vision shared by many and it is wonderful to seethe Queen?s Warehouse come alive,? she said.

?In future months we will plan some open house days, so the general public may view the restoration.?