Aruba’s historic Kibaima water tanks are set for a new chapter as a heritage and knowledge centre, preserving a significant piece of the island’s early drinking-water infrastructure while adapting the site for public use.
Restoration agreement moves the project forward
The Government of Aruba and Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba signed the site transfer and a cooperation agreement on September 16. Monumentenfonds will lead a phased restoration planned through 2029.
Rather than allowing the industrial structures to deteriorate or replacing them, the project is expected to conserve and reuse them. The National Archives of Aruba is planned as the future operator of a centre supporting research, education, documentation, conservation and presentations about the island’s history.
Water infrastructure with nearly a century of history
The first two Kibaima reservoirs were built in 1931 and 1932 as Aruba developed its modern drinking-water distribution system. Two additional reservoirs followed in 1941 and 1942.
The tanks are considered important examples of Aruba’s industrial, architectural and technical heritage. Their restoration will preserve evidence of how essential water infrastructure developed on an island where careful water management has always mattered.
Design and construction will follow in stages
Project planning grew from research begun before 2020 by Monumentenfonds, Dutch heritage organization BOEi and students from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Current work includes defining the National Archives’ requirements. A later stage will appoint a specialist team covering architecture, construction and restoration before a contractor is selected.
This adaptive-reuse approach gives the Kibaima tanks a practical future while retaining the story of Aruba’s water system for coming generations.
Source: ArubaNews.ca — “Aruba’s Kibaima Water Tanks Set for Heritage Center”.