A number of infrastructural works and constructions are about to be continued in Benque Viejo del Carmen. These works include the improvements of roads to boost the already beautiful tourism settings in Belize’s most Western Municipality.

Thus far, the sidewalk around the Centennial Park in Benque Viejo has been projected to cost some $300,000.00 and the sidewalks along Church and Churchill Street another $300,000.00, where the funds for these two projects are coming from the World Bank.

The Benque Viejo Town Council has worked on the design for the pavement of two streets: Juanito Gongora and Independence Streets. The Council is now waiting to work on Guerra Street, which has already been estimated to cost more than $250,000.00. The Boulevard to the River Side Street.

“The BWS and BEL utility companies, they are working on updating their lines,” reports Mayor Miguel Velasquez.

But the Benque Viejo Town Council will not be held back as they are now re-organizing their Tourism Committee. The Council is now trying to get funding for the proposed Edison Coleman Park, which is part of the Tourism Action Plan for the Town.

In his second year as Mayor, Miguel Velasquez is looking forward to March of next year when Municipal elections will be held.

“Whosoever come on board, whether it is myself being elected again or another one, we just hope that the plans that we already have for Benque Viejo is carried on, we don‘t want to lose that momentum,” he said.

Meanwhile; Denis Leseur from the National Authorizing Office has reported that the almost completed market in Benque Viejo is being funded under the Belize Rural Development Project 2, under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, with funds from the European Union. When completed, the new market in Benque Viejo del Carmen will also add to the quality of life for both visitors and community members alike.

Visitors to Benque Viejo can visit the edges of the Mopan River to view the rushing waters, the towering Roman Catholic edifices within the town or the House of Culture now being run by the National Institute of Culture and History. Just a few miles from Benque Viejo is the Xunantunich Maya site, which now has a recently opened visitor center complex. On their way to Benque Viejo, visitors can also stop by the San Jose Succotz Community, which sports a number or restaurants that daily serve a wide variety of Belizean delicacies.

The Guardian