'Pre-built' Bimini hotel on track for spring opening

Mon, Dec 9th 2013, 10:16 AM

The second phase of the multimillion-dollar Resorts World Bimini Bay resort is progressing, with the hotel expected to be completed next spring.
Earlier this year, the government and the Genting Group inked a deal for phase two of the $150 million project, which included the construction of a 350-room luxury marina hotel. Ground was broken in August.
The construction of the hotel is underway, and Resorts World Bimini President Dana Leibovitz said the company is on an aggressive timeline.
But a decision to have it pre-built has given the company a unique opportunity, after recognizing the challenges associated with transporting building materials to the island.
"We have contracted a company that does this type of work so it allows for it to be built quicker and more efficiently. Getting building materials to Bimini is a challenge so already having it pre-built helps tremendously," Leibovitz revealed.
"The hotel is expected to be completed in spring 2014. We only decided to build the hotel about three months ago so our timeline to get it finished is very aggressive."
Leibovitz said the recent decision to construct a hotel is just part of the company's commitment to the Bahamian people, especially Biminites.
His comments came shortly after signing a $300,000 contract with Airport Maintenance Services (AMS) to upgrade the airport in South Bimini.
"We are committed to the Bahamian people, the Biminites. We want to bring Bimini to the people who do not know about Bimini," he said.
"You go to Miami and everybody knows about Bimini, but nobody has been there. Bimini is such a beautiful, exotic and magical place."
"We want to make it easier for people to get there, give them a place to stay and share this with the Bahamian people."
Genting took over Bimini Bay earlier this year, rebranding it as Resorts World Bimini.
Phase one of the project included the construction of the Resorts World Casino and the introduction of the Bimini SuperFast cruise ship that is dedicated solely to transporting passengers between Bimini and Miami, Florida.
At the time of the groundbreaking, Prime Minister Perry Christie had estimated that the project would create 150 construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs.
The project has in recent months drawn significant criticism, particularly in light of plans to construct a 1,000-foot ferry terminal and 4.5-acre island near to numerous world-renowned dive sites, and in light of concerns raised in an accompanying environmental impact assessment.
The Bimini Blue Coalition is seeking a judicial review of the project, maintaining it does not bode well for Bimini's future, and an injunction against the work.
Resorts World Bimini has maintained that it is obtaining all necessary approvals for the project and has been following best environmental practices.

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