The Quincentennial theme "A Bermuda For Everyone....Everyone For Bermuda" is reflected in the Government's support of the 500th anniversary of Bermuda's discovery this year with a pledge of $1 million to the St. George's Foundation.

The amount, spread over a four-year period, will be used by the Foundation to help cover the costs of materials imported for the restoration of the World Heritage Visitors Centre.

The Foundation's plan to restore the Queen's Warehouse as the Centre will help to revitalise cultural tourism in St. George's.

The completed World Heritage Visitors Centre will be the venue for programmes and exhibits that will highlight and share Bermuda's history with visitors, students and residents.

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has geared its programme of events to tie into the wider spectrum of events that has been coordinated by the Quincentennial Committee.

These include visits to schools by historians and cultural tradition bearers and a Dance Festival that will embrace various ethnic and cultural groups that make up Bermuda's social mosaic.

The "Historical Heartbeats Lecture Series" will continue throughout most of the year with speakers that reflect Bermuda's diversity.

St. George's Foundation chairman Henry Hayward said last night that he was extremely pleased with the pledge from Government.

He said they hoped to have the World Heritage Visitors Centre completed by 2009 when St. George's and Bermuda celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Island's settlement.

The total cost of the restoration is $20 million and Government's contribution, he said, would help as the first phase of the project was completed at a cost of $1.7 million.

So far the Foundation has managed to raise $7.2 million in donations from both businesses and individuals.