Sept. 29, 2007 — It was lights, cameras, action, as officials and well-wishers from all over the Virgin Islands came to congratulate Public Television Station WTJX Channel 12 on the opening of its new offices in Estate Richmond on St. Croix after an 18-month renovation.
“We’ve got all new equipment, everything is state of the art,” said Eustace Browne, WTJX Board Chairman, Friday. “We’ve gone completely digital.” The cost of the equipment alone ran to more than $9 million.
A sleek, curved reception desk and LCD monitors mounted on the walls greeted visitors walking into the building, designed by architect Stacy Bourne of the Bourne Group. The outside of the building was redesigned to a more West Indian feel with high arches and shuttered windows.
Stylish workspaces are designed to promote teamwork. The new station boasts two Avid and two Final Cut Pro production studios for media storage, film and video editing and audio production. The new production control room is where final editing comes together and programs are digitally sent to the main tower on Mountain Top, St. Thomas. Equipment used to take viewer calls during shows was also upgraded.
The television studio is more than four times the size of the former studio in Gallows Bay. The green screens ringing the studio allow for images to be superimposed behind on-air staff. Four cameras equipped with mounted teleprompters focus on the area where local shows will be filmed. And throughout the building, energy efficient light fixtures are mounted.
“There is in excess of $9 million in equipment here, everything is new,” said adding that the equipment was purchased through senate appropriations.
With the replacement of all equipment from analog to digital, an opportunity to train students in the media field has arisen, said Operations and Production Coordinator John Joseph. “We will be using the analog equipment for student training,” he said. Equipment will be set up on the building’s second floor and schools are invited to inquire about receiving the training.
“The technology remains the same,” Joseph said of the analog equipment. “It's just that the digital picture quality is better.”
WTJX has been campaigning for funds to complete the digital upgrades for more than five years, hosting fundraisers and lobbying the senate. The St. Thomas studios completed their upgrades last year, according to Browne.
The station is still hoping for more assistance to make their new home complete. During recent senate budget hearings, station executives asked senators to approve additional funds to purchase land to construct a parking lot. Browne said several senators expressed their support.
Gov. John de Jongh Jr., Lt Gov. Gregory Francis and Senate President Usie Richards spoke at the opening ceremony, presided over by Dr. Olaf “Bronco” Hendricks. Quelbe group, Stanley and the 10 Sleepless Knights provided the music.
For more information on WTJX, visit their website.
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