The ground breaking ceremony yesterday. Photo: Moise Amisial
By JADE RUSSELL
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
LONG Island’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday praised the impending construction of a $250m resort and cruise port on the island and described it as “exciting”.
Azul Destinations broke ground on Monday for the multi-million project called the Calypso Cove, which will consist of a 200-bedroom hotel, mega yacht marina facilities, interior pools, casinos, a cruise port, cruise pier and 18-hole golf course.
Cheryl de Goicoechea, Long Island’s Chamber of Commerce president, told The Tribune yesterday that the project was something needed on the island to boost the economy.
“I think that it will bring a lot of employment, and some more economy to the island which is much needed. So, people may be able to return home and live here. And be employed at the different businesses and the port that’s going to be open and available. So yes, I’m excited.
“I’m sure that the majority of the people on the island are excited and we’re looking forward to seeing it happen.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it come into fruition. And I think that, once it is open and everything’s moving forward, it will bring some good investments to the island. And hopefully with that coming into play may even get our international airport upgrades, which will be quite exciting,” she said.
Ms Goicoechea added that developers of the multi-million project and government officials have assured them that the venture will aid in providing numerous residents with jobs.
She continued: “We will have first dibs on any jobs that are going to be offered. And it will not be offered out to the other islands unless they are not able to find the employees that they need on the island. But they assured us that all people from the island would be considered for the position before any other island.”
Sharon Cartwright, owner of Sunflower Food Mart, is also excited at the prospect of an economic boost from the development.
“I think it’s excellent and that it’s overdue for Long Island,” she said.
“And it’s very positive, it’s going to be a lot of good opportunities for our young children,” Ms Cartwright said.
Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony wished the developers the best and also committed his administration to doing its part in ensuring the project is a success for the benefit of all.
“We are committed, and we need to ensure that opportunities for Long Islanders, as for any islander, is the same as it is for those in New Providence. We’re committed to that, and we will continue on that journey,” he said.
For his part, Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said he was happy for Long Island, adding that this latest project was just the beginning of what’s to come for residents there.
Comments
Baha10 1 year, 4 months ago
… is this Crown Land … also I thought this was a Grouper Spawning Site?
mandela 1 year, 4 months ago
Awsome.
sheeprunner12 1 year, 4 months ago
There are some concerns, despite the upbeat talk. Talk is cheap, money buys land & labour.
Torres said he is still trying to secure funding.
The PM said the EIA is not completed.
The DPM is still non committal to the DMC airport.
The big LI contractors are waiting for calls from the principals. Will Dean, Torres & Assal pay locals what they demand OR bring in cheap foreign labour?
So, Long Islanders ........ please hold off on the promises just yet. Show we the money.
TalRussell 1 year, 4 months ago
But Comrade Sheeprunner, your island's still House sittin' MP, with his own personal money arrangement troubles, is right up their in the mix - having signed off on developer's promises - and despite of the very same bothering to your own local islanders questions you've so correctly posed, ---- Yes?
Baha10 1 year, 4 months ago
What about the issue of whether they actually own any land … or merely relying on getting Crown … slightly more than a minor issue … not to mention the Grouper Spawning that presumably ensures Grouper stock for Fishermen in the whole Southern Bahamas, not just Long Islanders.
sheeprunner12 1 year, 4 months ago
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Make no mistake about this, when I say what I say.
Long Islanders want these projects to come to fruition. We are the only major Family Island that has had NO major FDI in the past 50 years.
Port St George project and the DMC Airport didn't materialize under the FNM/Minnis regime. Thank God for our hometown boy Ellis Major's investments over the past ten years in the Clarence Town area.
Now, the PLP/Davis regime is here with shiny shovels.
Promises are a comfort to a fool. LI ppl are definitely not fools. We've beaten the odds since SLOP apartheid days.
TalRussell 1 year, 4 months ago
Well, yes, there you goes again, Comrade Sheeprunner. How can your own Long Islanders be expected to be amongst yours: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, if your own money embattled ""still" House-sittin' MP, has posed here with one those inland shiny shovels.
Is that a PLP colour of yellow Hat, that your still House sittin' MP, has on top of his own troubles worry about head?
Strange how an equally unfunded developer has taken such likin' to the colour yellow,--- Yes? .
ColumbusPillow 1 year, 4 months ago
Where on:Long Island is this miracle going to happen??????
TalRussell 1 year, 4 months ago
What I'm hearing other peoples talking is that of the approximately 503,304 popoulaces who populate the Bahamas Islands, some 293,332 that make-up the popoulaces living on the islands of Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama, with the 293,332, said being evenly split between those with Long Islander heritage, and those of Haitian heritages.
To set record source my statically correct data straight, I'm only engaging in repeat talking that ofwhat I don't know - other than what I've been street corner and jib hearing talked. --- Yes?
rosiepi 1 year, 4 months ago
The government seems desperate, ‘Azul Destinations’ was just incorporated last year, June 1 2022 to be exact, and is located within the office of United Security & Alarms in a low-rise office park in Sunrise Fl. And they’re looking for $250M?
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