Public gardens rental proposal raises eyebrows

The Valletta local council is objecting to a proposal it fears could turn the city's gardens into a "glorified wedding hall".

The bone of contention is a recommendation by the Embellishment and Landscaping Projects (ELP) within the Environment Ministry to lease public gardens for more private functions.

Regulations that have been in force for the past 50 years lay down that public gardens may be leased for up to 12 times a year. But a proposal to be submitted to the Cabinet would mean, if accepted, that public gardens will be rented for anything between 20 to 24 times a year.

No more than four activities a month will, however, be permitted in the same venue.

ELP chairman Michael Mercieca said the idea is to raise funds for public gardens, such as the Lower and Upper Barrakkas in Valletta, the Argotti, in Floriana and Sa Maison, making them more self-sustainable.

Mr Mercieca underlined the massive costs of maintaining public gardens, citing in particular the Upper Barrakka gardens, which cost some Lm30,000 a year to maintain.

He would not reveal the proposed rental fees, on the basis that these were of a commercial nature, but sources said that renting a public garden would cost about Lm700. The fee excludes catering and security costs.

Furthermore, a bank guarantee of Lm1,000 will be requested, which will be refunded once it is ascertained no damage is caused to the place.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier holds different views about the matter and argued that the private use of the Barrakka Gardens must, as far as possible, be limited.

"The gardens should only be closed if a high fee is paid rather than leasing it at current wedding hall prices," he charged.

The Barrakka Gardens were intended for public use and making them accessible also for private use would defeat the whole purpose of the gardens and their costly restoration, the mayor added.

He said the proposed policy would mean closing public spaces for private use when one should be thinking of opening more restricted spaces for the enjoyment of the public.

Such a practice would mean that the island would be losing the exclusive use of the Upper Barrakka Garden for conference incentives and other public events. It would also "degrade" all official events held there by the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dr Borg Olivier said the council had received massive complaints from the public after a wedding was held there a fortnight ago.

"I don't think the gardens were restored to be transformed into a glorified wedding hall," he lamented.

Dr Borg Olivier appealed to the government to rethink its policy and give priority to public use rather than "short sighted" economic gain.