The historical building at Santa Venera’s Romeo Romano Gardens is set to be transformed into an environmental education centre for Ekoskola students.

This comes after plans to commercialise the gardens with a new restaurant were withdrawn by Minister Miriam Dalli following public outcry.

The newly finalised agreement plans to offer students a hands-on opportunity to learn about nature protection and sustainability.

The building, being restored through a €1 million investment, will also include a sensory garden intended for children with autism.

Minister Dalli presided over the signing of an agreement between GreenServ, Parks Malta, the entity that will maintain the restored gardens, and Nature Trust – FEE Malta, the e-NGO running the national Ekoskola programme.

“This building was originally planned to be a kitchen garden restaurant, but after we took note of the public’s concerns, we identified a new use for it, one that brings people closer to nature, Miriam Dalli said.

“As the 2023 Budget confirmed,” Miriam Dalli added, “next year we will continue working on the €700 million, seven-year programme to create more new green open spaces in all localities.”

The first phase of the Romeo Romano Gardens rehabilitation will be ready in December. It includes maintenance and restoration works in parts of the garden that had been closed to the public for many years.

Vincent Attard, Executive President of Nature Trust FEE, welcomed the repurposing of the building into a hub for educational programmes. Through this building, the organisation will reach out to the entire community, and not only to children.

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