Cries of concern continue to grow from the business community about the New Providence Landfill, as owners of the new Fusion Superplex, located at the tip of Gladstone Road, urge government to find an overdue solution for the remediation of the dump.
CEO of the Atavus Group Carlos Foulkes told Guardian Business yesterday that the investment company is concerned about the state of the dump, calling it an "immediate problem".
Foulkes explained that the $42 million Fusion Superplex family entertainment center is a "good distance" from the landfill to avoid any direct impact in the event of a fire. However, the complex is still subject to adverse occurrences, depending on the direction the wind blows during a fire.
"It (the complex) is in a logical location and has the advantage of elevation, and when the wind blows it usually blows in the southeastern direction, notwithstanding that the wind can change in our direction," said Foulkes.
"So we anticipate, if there is an incident at the dump, that we may have some negative effects."
Foulkes said Atavus, along with the local community, will petition the government to move forward with plans to resolve the issues at the dumpsite. "Politicians have been talking about it for years," Foulkes noted.
Minister of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira said earlier this month that the new Free National Movement government is "speeding ahead" to finalize and retool the request for proposals (RFP) process for the remediation and operation at the landfill.
"For us, it is an immediate problem and therefore we would be stressing it as we move forward with our operations," Foulkes asserted.
But as the government mulls on a solution, Atavus has taken matters into its own hands to the tune of a $3 million investment to ensure that the building is equipped for possible hazardous events.
"We have done some things internally to mitigate any type of incident, that is to say, if the dump has a problem and then it comes in our direction, we have invested in filtration technology in our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system," Foulkes said.
"We have just upgraded our HVAC system. During this upgrade we considered putting in filters so that in the vents, persons can be inside the building and not be bothered by the smoke."
Foulkes said the HVAC system recently underwent a $600,000 upgrade to accommodate extra performance measures, adding that the total system cost $3 million.
Fusion Superplex is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2018.

Former Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said yesterday he is "appalled" by former Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian's request that the Minnis administration place a moratorium on the completion of the Baha Mar sale.
"He embarrassed the government," said Gomez when called for comment.
"A court-sanctioned sale has occurred. Approvals have been made.
"It seems strange that a contributor to the FNM's campaign coffers can be asking the government to intervene in the process. It seems fundamentally wrong for him to do so."
It is unclear whether Izmirlian donated to the FNM's campaign.
Gomez, who represented the government in 2015 as it dealt with Baha Mar in the Supreme Court, said Izmirlian's request is "extraordinary".
"I am surprised that he has not been more vociferously denounced in the media for his comments," Gomez said.
"I am appalled that he would have that level of disregard for our court system and our system of government."
In a statement on Sunday, Izmirlian urged the Minnis administration to place a moratorium on the completion of the Baha Mar sale, and other related transactions, so that the government and the public can thoroughly "assess the extent of the toxicity of these arrangements to our country and how the best interests of Bahamians can be met".
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis met with Izmirlian last week, though it remains unclear if he was given any advance indication of Izmirlian's statement.
While in opposition, Minnis promised to execute a "real sale" of Baha Mar and said under a Minnis administration only Bahamians would be allowed to complete the project.
Prior to the general election, he said the Baha Mar heads of agreement -- made public by the Christie administration on April 30 -- had disastrous provisions.
However, he told The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday that he has no intention of "interfering" in Baha Mar, adding that "we will follow the law".
Izmirlian, through his company BMD Holdings Ltd., also wants the authorities to reopen the casino license investigation and report the findings of the Gaming Board.
Minnis recently tabled the unsealed heads of terms in the House of Assembly.
The government entered that agreement with China EXIM Bank and China Construction America (CCA) last August to get the project completed and open.
The deal was sealed by the Supreme Court, its secrecy becoming a major source of controversy in the lead up to the May 10 general election.
The Christie administration agreed to issue up to 1,200 work permits to CCA to complete the resort.
The government also agreed to waive stamp duty and value-added tax (VAT) on the transfer of assets from the Baha Mar Ltd. (BML) group of companies to Perfect Luck Assets Limited to facilitate the sale.

Dear Editor,

The sun has finally set on an era, an icon, an athlete extraordinaire, a physician par excellence, a politician of impeccable character and a statesman of the highest order. Dr. Hon. Bernard J. Nottage has exited stage left, ending a career in medicine and politics that is the envy of many. He was a gynecologist to many for decades and developed a reputation of professionalism that followed him to the very end.
In a climate where many do not respect politicians, Nottage was untouchable! He earned the respect of all. Dr. Nottage was an affable gentleman. People from both sides of the political divide not only loved him, but respected him highly and sought his wise counsel. He was simply trusted without question. His greatest sin was that no one could say that they knew him to be, or heard that he was shady. Absolutely no one could point their fingers at him. He kept his nose clean and could easily show his hand. He never entertained any resemblance of anything untoward.
This is a sad day for all Bahamians. Not only did we lose a friend and brother, we lost one of our finest sons. His family will no doubt mourn his loss, but thousands of Bahamians from all walks of life will remember his free spirit, his charitable ways and, most of all, his honesty and integrity. Personally, I remember having had the distinct pleasure of lengthy conversations with him about how we could implement the principles of the First Bahamas Boy's Brigade into our nation-building, as we both were members. He always looked for ways to make The Bahamas better. I trust The Bahamas will move with haste to not only record this giant of a man in its history, but that we will be mature enough to create a living physical memory of this true, true Bahamian.
B.J. fought valiantly, like the real warrior he always was, never shying away from fighting for what he believed in. God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, brought the curtain down. B.J.'s act is ended, there will be no encore. NONE! His life should be celebrated. Condolences to his wonderful wife Portia and family.
I know his soul is resting in peace.

- Ivoine W. Ingraham

A 46-year-old Bermudian who was arrested in Mayaguana on Monday waived an extradition hearing and agreed to return home to face trial on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to supply and conspiracy to import cocaine.
Rudolph Travers Clarke will remain on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs completes the paperwork to facilitate his surrender.
Clarke appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on an arrest warrant for the extradition request.
After requesting a brief adjournment to consult with his client, attorney Ian Cargill said, "We are going to dispense with formalities, the fugitive is waiving his rights and agrees to return to Bermuda."
Viola Barnett, a lawyer in the Office of the Attorney General who appeared on behalf of the requesting state, said that the Extradition Act required that consent to surrender be in writing. That is expected to take place today.
McKinney told Clarke that he would be detained at the prison until his extradition was formalized.
Cargill asked that the matter be expedited, as a desire not to spend a prolonged period at the prison factored into Clarke's decision to waive his right to extradition.
Bartlett said that she was unable to guarantee a timeline for the surrender, as it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A fixture for the matter has been set for 1 p.m. on July 5.
Clarke was jailed in New York in 2012 for his part in a $3.9 million heroin importation plot.