Developers officially broke ground on a $12 million development on Eleuthera yesterday, signaling the start of what Prime Minister Perry Christie believes will be a turnaround for the island's struggling economy. The French Leave Marina and Resort, is one of three significant projects recently approved on that island, which together will bring hundreds of temporary and permanent jobs, Christie said at the brief groundbreaking ceremony yesterday afternoon. French Leave, located just off Queen's Highway overlooking Governor's Harbour, will provide up to 60 construction and permanent jobs, according to developers. Lance Shaner, chairman of the Shaner Hotel Group and founder of Shaner Bahamas, which is developing the resort, said construction on the project began about four weeks ago.
Shaner Bahamas will provide the majority of the financing and manage the property. The Shaner Group is a U.S. corporation with more than 34 owned and managed properties and thousands of employees worldwide. Once complete, French Leave will include 38 cottages, a pool, a clubhouse, a wedding court, a restaurant and bar and a marina. Shaner, said the wedding court, which will be a central feature of the resort, will overlook the harbor. Christie said he welcomes the investment as the government has been "relentless in pursuing a suitable touristic development" for the island which has struggled with increasing levels of unemployment.
"To the enterprising and indomitable people of Eleuthera who have endured hardship and neglect for a long time...I am happy to announce for you a brighter day and the revival of your economy as we work together to make sure the future is more glorious than the past," he said. Central and South Eleuthera MP Damian Gomez said the investment proves that Eleuthera is open for business. "For some time now we have struggled with providing jobs and business opportunities particularly in Central and South Eleuthera," he said. "It is hoped that this project's success will signal a rebirth of our fortunes and the relaunching of our island as the premier destination in this part of the world." Shaner said he's excited to proceed with the project.
"You will find that we will be very good neighbors," he said. "You will find that we want to do the right thing. And as we proceed with this development and complete it. Hopefully we will have the success that we envision and will consider investment further on Eleuthera." Shaner Bahamas has entered into an agreement with a local partner, Governor's Harbour Resort & Marina, which is headed by Eddie Lauth. Lauth, who has been trying to get the project off the ground for more than seven years credited the Christie administration for his recent success.
Land title issues have mostly held up the project. However, Lauth said the project will be worth the wait. "Eleuthera is the single best resort site in The Bahamas, bar none," he said adding that he visited several other Family Islands before he chose Eleuthera. Shaner told The Nassau Guardian after the ceremony that he expects the marina to open in February 2014. He said further development will be considered after French Leave opens. Christie said the government has also approved the construction of a new medical center in Governor's Harbour, the expansion of Cocodimama and the construction of the $30 million Cove Eleuthera Resort.
Cocodimama Resort, which is co-owned by former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, will be expanded from a 12 room hotel to a 72 room resort, Christie revealed. As for the Cove Resort, construction is expected to be complete by March 2013. "These three tourism projects together with the construction by the government of a modern multimillion dollar mini-hospital, which will begin shortly in Palmetto Point, will provide hundreds of new construction and permanent jobs for the people of Eleuthera. It will also prove to be a boost to the growth of tourism and second homeowners who will all have the assurance of essential medical care being readily available right here in Eleuthera. We cannot ask for more."
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