Stollmeyer's Castle to be arts and cultural centre

THE HISTORIC Stollmeyer’s Castle will not be used as the Office of the Prime Minister, but as an arts and culture centre, reported Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young.

He was responding to a question in Parliament on Wednesday from Princes Town MP Barry Padarath on whether the castle was earmarked to be used as the OPM.

Young responded: “This is yet another example where there appears to be an attempt to mislead the public. This Government has never had any intention whatsoever to use Stollmeyer’s Castle for the Office of the Prime Minister. So one wonders once again where this came from.”

Young said the Cabinet had decided to use the castle as an arts and cultural centre and it has been placed under the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts and will be managed by the same board that manages the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). He reported the castle will be used for historical guided tours, exhibitions related to art, other exhibitions provided on a fee basis via an approved criteria.

He said it can also be used as a venue for small events with a limited number of people being allowed to preserve the premises and fees will be determined by the NAPA management committee.

Padarath then asked about the total amount spent to restore the castle, but Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George said she would not allow the question as a supplemental.

Stollmeyer’s Castle, also called Killarney, on Queen’s Park West, was constructed between 1902 and 1904. Designed by the Scotsman Robert Gillies, it was inspired by Balmoral Castle. It was one of the first houses to be built in St Clair on government farmlands and is one of the distinctive Magnificent Seven.