After two years and a $3.5 million renovation that revitalized the Bimini Big Game Club, a major partner has cut ties with the resort after foreclosure issues influenced a move in another direction.
Guy Harvey Outpost will no longer be associated with the Bimini Big Game Club, with president of the company Mark Ellert saying its plans to further expand in Bimini could not happen due to an ownership conflict that's preventing them from going forward.
"Developing a Guy Harvey Research station on the club grounds was an important part of our interest in becoming involved," Ellert said. "Because this cannot occur until the foreclosure is finalized, and given the repeated delays in the foreclosure process, our interest has turned to other locations such as Rum Cay. This contributed to our decision to part ways."
The foreclosure in question involves the owner of the Bimini Big Game Club, an individual from Fort Lauderdale who defaulted on a loan made by a California-based group called the Hankey Group. That group then entered the process of foreclosing on the Fort Lauderdale owner, an issue that has been ongoing for four years.
The foreclosure issue prevented Guy Harvey Outpost from purchasing the property when it wanted to, playing a major role in the decision to terminate the agreement.
"The Fort Lauderdale owner closed the club and defaulted on the loan," Ellert added. "After remaining closed for two years, to protect the property from complete deterioration the California lender, The Hankey Group, decided to reopen the property.
"It hired Guy Harvey Outpost to create a renovation plan, oversee startup operations and licensed the right to use our Guy Harvey brand and that of our brand partners in operating the club, all in order to instill credibility about the club's renovation and reopening. Our brand partners brought world-class diving and bone fishing programs to the club."
As a result of the terminated agreement, the Bimini Big Game Club no longer has permission to use the Guy Harvey trademarks, or anything related to brand partners Neal Watson's Undersea Adventures or Vaughan Cochran Blackfly Outfitters in the advertising and promotion of the club as a Guy Harvey Outpost.
Despite the decision made by Guy Harvey Outpost, the Hankey Group is optimistic that the resort can still operate successfully without the Guy Harvey brand attached to it, according to spokesperson Eric Jarvis.
"We will continue to develop the property and make capital improvements, including the addition of a floating dock facility this summer, which will facilitate direct seaplane service," Jarvis said. "The current hotel management in place has grown and improved sales and marketing and based on their performance and solid bookings through the summer, we felt we could move ahead on our own at this point."
After closing in 2008, the Big Game Club underwent a $3.5 million renovation that included all guest rooms, the new Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, the Hemingway Rum Bar and Social Lounge and the Outfitter Shop over that period.
"Guy Harvey Outpost and our brand partners worked tirelessly with the local government, the community and the California lender to reopen the club," said Ellert. "It wasn't without some bumps along the way, but we're extremely proud to have brought the club back to life and thank everyone for their support of our efforts."

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