By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
Access Industries, the One & Only Ocean Club owner, yesterday said it was in talks with the Government over development plans for the vacant land near Cabbage Beach now at the centre of public access controvery.
The developer, owned by billionaire investor Len Blavatnik, declined to comment in detail on its plans yesterday.
However, Khaalis Rolle, minister of state for investments, previously told the House of Assembly that Access Industries was looking to develop a convention centre on the extra land - adjacent to the RIU Paradise Island resort - that it acquired as part of the deal to purchase the One & Only Ocean Club from Atlantis owner, Brookfield Asset Managment.
The proposals, though, have sparked outcry from Cabbage Beach vendors and water sports operators, as they require that from October 8, public access adjacent to the RIU will be closed.
Christopher Beattie, spokesman for Access Industries, said in an e-mail to Tribune Business: “As required by its sale agreement to Access Industries, Brookfield will relocate the current public beach access point, located on the vacant parcel of land adjacent to the Riu resort, to an existing access point owned by Brookfield located on Garden Drive off of Paradise Island Drive.”
He added: “Access Industries is currently working with the Bahamas Government on development plans for the vacant parcel of land.”
He did not divulge further details. Access Industries has pledged a $50 million expansion of the Ocean Club. The multi-million redevelopment of the Hartford Wing began in June.
A spokesperson for Kerzner International, which manages the resort, told Tribune Business in August that in order to conduct the more disruptive renovation work, the resort would be closing to guests from August 24 through the month of September.
The resort will reopen in October with the Crescent Wing, and the new Hartford Wing will debut in November.
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