Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday disclosed that the government has approved the sale of just under 70 acres of land on Stocking Island for construction by Stocking Island Development Ltd. of the Stocking Island Club, a $300 million development comprising a five-star 48-suite boutique hotel and 88 villas, spa, wellness center, resort club, restaurant and bar, sailing school, swimming academy and marine facilities.
The prime minister was again the keynote speaker at the Exuma Business Outlook, in its ninth year, organized by The Counsellors Ltd. The theme was “Securing Exuma through Planning, Partnership, Productivity”.
Touting the new approval as proof of the dynamism of Exuma’s economy, Christie said the sailing school would instruct Bahamians in the various sailing techniques used by Olympic class crafts, as well as participating in and functioning as a benefactor of the National Family Island Regatta in Exuma.
Stocking Island Development Ltd. expects 250-300 full-time construction employees will be hired during the development phase, and 250 permanent employees will be needed to operate the resort.
“The government, in public consultation, will ensure that the environment and public access rights are preserved and protected as this amazing high-end development takes place,” Christie said.
Dynamic resort development
He also reported that Children’s Bay Cay and Williams Cay in the Exuma Cays have been acquired for development of a 50 pavilion-room resort complex on Children’s Bay Cay and a mixed-use property on William’s Cay catering to high-net-worth customers, with provision for employee housing and warehousing facilities on Barraterre, Exuma.
“This and a number of other projects which have received approvals are undergoing economic and environmental impact assessments and regulatory approvals by our government agencies and remain in various stages of their development,” the prime minister announced.
He also reported that February Point is advancing its product upgrade and will open new amenities later this year. Construction will commence shortly on phased expansion of its accommodations with 20 new condo units and penthouse condos and four new homes are slated for completion within the next four months.
“The owner plans to break ground on a new 120-room resort once a brand operator is identified for both the hotel and mega yacht marina at February Point. I am told that once these arrangements are in place, an additional 200 employees will immediately be sourced in a job fair in Exuma,” Christie said.
Infrastructure and planning
Christie told the Exuma Business Outlook audience that Sandals has invested $137 million in Exuma since 2010 and has contributed $135 million to The Bahamian economy just in the last four years. The company has reported a 25 percent increase in tours alone and an economic footprint of $35 million just in 2015. Plans are on the drawing board for an additional $6 million spend in new amenities and renovations of the property.
According to Christie, Sandals’ plans ‘dovetail very well’ with the government’s National Development Plan for Exuma, and specifically, the master planning of a new community centre in the Georgetown area.
“As you know, Exuma was identified in our strategic planning exercises. Both Abaco and Exuma were identified as destinations with sustained population growth, increased tourist arrivals and business investment and so provision was made for the enhancement of both these Islands’ airport infrastructure and health facilities,” he said.
Christie also noted that Exuma’s population has significantly expanded with many older persons, now residents, comprising the majority of visits to current healthcare facilities.
“The demands of a growing population, second home owners and a vibrant tourism industry have been fully taken into account in our health-care planning.
“I am pleased to be able to report that the mini-hospital in Georgetown will open either on or before January 2016,” he said.
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