By YOURI KEMP
Tribune Business
Reporter
ykemp@tribunemedia.net
EXUMA’S private sector says the $175m Torch Cay project is urgently needed to prevent the island’s southern end from “dying out”.
O’Brian Strachan, owner/ operator of Strachan’s Service Station, told Tribune Business the development - for which a Heads of Agreement was signed by the Government last Thursday - should increase traffic through Georgetown because everything has to travel south-east from the island’s capital.
“It’s going to bring a whole lot of development,” he added, voicing optimism that with homes potentially valued between $1m to $10m it will attract numerous high net worth individuals who will spend their money on Exuma. “That south-eastern part of the island is dying out. They had more people in Williams Town than they do now, so it’s going to bring some sort of life back into that part of the island,” Mr Strachan added.
Ramon Darville, Darville Lumber’s general manager, said that while developer, PMR Bahamas and its principal, Jay Penske, have bought several items from him nothing “big scale” has started yet on Torch Cay.
He said: “They can’t possibly bring in every single item they need, so they will most likely be back to us. The people in Williams Town need this boost. It would be really good for them
“I met with the developer, Jake Penske, and he always seems to be in a big rush. That’s just how people like him are, but he needs to realise that he is on small island now and he needs to plan way ahead. You have to learn to relax and just wait on things to happen.
“Logistics will be a big challenge for getting materials to Torch Cay from the mainland, so you have to order things way in advance and know all of the distribution channels to ensure that the development goes smoothly.”
Tribune Business reported last August that PMR Bahamas’ $170m investment, which is targeted at Exuma’s southern tip, is pledging to create up to 300 full-time jobs - plus several hundred construction posts - via the phased build-out of a mixed-use resort and residential project. It plans to develop an 81-slip marina, 161 residential lots, boutique resort with 40 keys, and an 18-hole golf course on 707-acre Torch Cay, also known as Hog Cay.
The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) said the developer will seek to upgrade the privately-owned island’s existing runway to a facility able to win International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) designation. It said: “Torch Cay is a privately owned 707-acre island situated to the east of Little Exuma at the southernmost point of the Exuma Island chain.
“The $170m proposed development by PMR Bahamas is a mixed-use luxury resort and residential development complete with an 18-hole golf course, 81-slip marina and channel, 161 residential lots, 40 hotel keys resort, marina village and runway with an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) designation.
“Amenities include the creation of new beaches and expansion/improvement of existing beaches; overwater bungalows; agricultural and husbandry area (farms); equestrian facilities; golf clubhouse; spa and sports pavilion; and natural areas. Back-of-house (BOH) operations will provide solid waste management, electricity, potable water, and sewerage facilities. Guests and visitors will arrive at designated and secure locations.”
Detailing the project’s likely economic and social impact on Exuma, especially the Williams Town community, the document adds: “The project is anticipated to be developed over two phases.... Full build-out will take between eight and 12 years, creating between 375 to 425 jobs during construction and 250 to 300 jobs during operation.
“While the population of Exuma and its cays nearly doubled between the 2000 and 2010 census to just below 7,000, Little Exuma does not exhibit this growth and will benefit directly from its proximity to Torch Cay. Employees who live on Exuma will be able to travel to the cay for daily operations via provided busing and transportation along Queens Highway.
“The community of Little Exuma will benefit directly from community outreach programmes, which may include adoption of the Williams Town school; a cultural village at Forbes Hill; and additional educational support and training to the residents of Exuma.”
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