A new entrance into St. George's near Penno's Wharf Cruise Ship Terminal was opened with a special ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday.

Butterfield Bank Charitable Foundation donated $250,000 to the St. George's Foundation to build the walkway, which will now be called Butterfield Way.

The project was several years in the making, held up while the St. George's Foundation awaited official comment from Government on whether it would waive the traditional 'Queen's Bottom' fee applied to structures which span the water.

St. George's Mayor Mariea Caisey yesterday said the Foundation is still awaiting a ruling.

"This walkway project has resulted in changing the area from Tiger Bay to the World Heritage Centre from a narrow unattractive walkway into an attractive enticing entrance which can accommodate a large number of visitors to the Town," said Foundation chairman Henry Hayward.

"We wish to congratulate Butterfield Bank on their 150th anniversary and we are very grateful for their generous donation to the St. George's Foundation Capital Campaign to enhance the entrance to the Town of St. George's and the World Heritage Centre."

Butterfield Bank president and CEO, Alan Thompson, said the Foundation was pleased to have been able to give its support. "Making valuable contributions to the communities that we call home has been a practice of Butterfield for the past 150 years," Mr. Thompson said.

"This is our way of preserving an important piece of Bermuda's heritage and to also make the area more appealing to visitors and locals alike."

A brass plaque was installed on the walkway to commemorate the contribution.