Within the framework of the seventh anniversary of the declaration of the Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) and the Municipality of Río Negro inaugurated the musealization of the machine room of the former Anglo refrigerator. The objective is to value the infrastructure that represents the industrial past of the local community, highlighted the head of the Secretary of State, Tabaré Viera.
Also attending the event, this Tuesday the 5th, were the mayor of Río Negro, Omar Lafluf; the general director of the Secretariat of the Mintur, Ignacio Curbelo; the director of the Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape, Mauro Delgrosso, and the representative of the National Cultural Heritage Commission, Andrés Mazzini, among other national and local authorities.
On the occasion, the work of the recently deceased historian and researcher René Boretto Ovalle was recognized for his work and enormous contribution to the museum and the city.
In his speech, Viera pointed out that the inauguration represents the culmination of coordinated work between various institutions and assured that musealization implies valuing an industrial and historical heritage of the country, by preserving the infrastructure and spreading its attractiveness.
He explained that the Mintur works together with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in a program to promote heritage and historical tourism, through the development of emerging products throughout the national territory. In that sense, he said that this intervention strengthens him in the area and added that the investment was 120,000 dollars.
From an architectural and constructive perspective, the integral waterproofing of the roof of the main nave and the access area, changing rooms and workshop, work on the conservation of openings and steam pipes in their entirety, the renovation of the electrical installation and the resolution of security aspects, among others.
For his part, Lafluf highlighted the figure of René Boretto Ovalle, for his dedicated work and invaluable cultural contribution to the community of Fray Bentos, and the commitment of the municipal officials who work in the former refrigerator.
He also detailed some projects in the process of being implemented, such as the soundproofing of some areas or the one that includes transforming the Anglo into an intelligent and sustainable neighborhood, based on energy efficiency and new technologies.
Efforts are also being made to modify the Anglo industrial park into a digital one, where regional and global information technology companies are installed, promote the area’s study centers in digital training and boost the industrial sector with tools and services.
