The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A major resort developer/operator is aiming to launch its $10 million first phase redevelopment of Eleuthera’s Coco Di Mama property in the Christmas 2014 “prime season”, telling Tribune Business it was looking to take the resort’s room count up to 30.

Sean Urgo, a principal of Urgo Hotels’ development arm, said an overall key (room) count of 70 was being planned for the resort.

Urgo Hotels purchased the 12-room property in 2007, teaming up with Craig Symonette, brother of ex-Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, to expand the Eleuthera hotel, which is located seven miles north of Governor’s Harbour.

“We’re hoping to climb from 12 keys now to 30 in the first phase, so an additional 18 keys in the first phase. We would like to get an overall key count of 70 keys that would encompass the entire 18-acre site. We are shooting to open up for the prime season of Christmas 2014,” said Mr Urgo.

Urgo Hotels has an ownership interest in, or operates, 31 resorts in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. Its total landholdings at its Eleuthera property constitute about 100 acres.

Mr Symonette said build-out of the first phase would require an investment of about $10 million. “New hotels rooms will be added to the existing 12 rooms and will give us the minimum number of rooms that we require to operate a proper restaurant and small boutique hote,” he said.

“The main feature that we are seeking government approval on is to deepen and beautify the two scarified areas at the front of the property. It may look like swamp land but it’s not; it’s the old area that was dug originally in 1950 for the airport. It’s just a matter of beautifying it to completely change the appearance of the property as you enter.”