Premier Jennifer Smith wet the roof of the long-awaited, new education building at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) yesterday, culminating an 18-month building project which has left BAMZ's capital development coffers empty.

The new facility will house the aquarium's administrative offices and the Department of Conservation Services.

It also includes a state-of-the-art studio for the graphic design team and space for three classrooms, which can be converted into a large, lecture hall.

Curator Jack Ward told The Royal Gazette the new facility will allow for more efficient operation of aquarium business as previously employees were scattered about the property.

"We had offices in spaces that would otherwise be prime museum space," he said. "Now we can dedicate those spaces to exhibits."

Construction of the new building resulted from a collaborative effort between the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and Government.

"While the Bermuda Government provides continuous support of the physical plant and operational needs the BZS, which was chartered in 1978, enhances and supports development, education and research at BAMZ and organises special exhibits and activities for the community," Mr. Ward said.

Government committed $2.2 million to the building project in the 2001 budget which was supplemented by the remainder of a capital development fund BAMZ established in 1992.

With that fund exhausted, BAMZ is currently developing a new master plan for future projects.

In addition to centralised office space, the new building will allow BAMZ to continue to develop its education outreach programmes which already draw in some 7,000 students yearly.

With the new facility, BAMZ will be able to accommodate up to 9,000 school children each year.

The purpose-built classroom/lecture hall is lined with small workstations which fold into the wall to allow of maximum use of space and Mr. Ward told The Royal Gazette a large basement was also included in the design which can be climate controlled to hold specimens.

Environment Minister Dennis Lister and Premier Jennifer Smith both encouraged Bermudian students to take maximum advantage of the programmes the aquarium has on offer.

Premier Smith said she hoped students would develop a "love of their environment".

"And I hope that out of (BAMZ programmes) we see more curators and marine biologists in the future," she said.