The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A developer is planning to invest up to $75m in developing a sustainable eco-resort in the Exuma Cays that will create some 60 jobs during a two-three year construction phase.

Robert Coughlin, the Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club's principal, on Friday unveiled his plans for the project that will be located on Sampson Cay, just north of Staniel Cay.

The development's first phase, which will continue over the next 15 months, will see the installation of necessary infrastructure at a cost of about $15m. The second phase will involve construction of cottages and a clubhouse costing a combined $40m, and Mr Coughlin said he is expecting to incur another $15m in added costs.

He said: “Our budget right now for the first phase, just the next year, is about $15m. The second year is in the $30m-$40m range. I'd say safely $60m to $75m is a good estimate of getting us to the point of what you've seen on paper. My guess is it's going to continue to go beyond that.

“Over the next 15 months, we expect to add the infrastructure and some initial cottages. And then phase two goes into more general buildings, our clubhouse and additional cottages and, if things go well, two to three years is what it will take to develop it…to be operational, where you have significant guests. But, in 15 months, we have some cottages and [will] start to develop more of the general areas.

“We've already started so this isn't about what we're going to do; it’s what we're in the process of already doing. We have architectural drawings being developed and, of course, they have to get approved but, at the end of the day, I feel like we have a good team.”

Mr Coughlin said he anticipates the project will create about 60 jobs in the construction phase, while the resort will operate with about 20 full-time employees. He added that all staff, contractors, engineers and architects are Bahamian.

"We have full-time Bahamian employees here. We also have a number of contractors who are Bahamian, our engineers and other types of contractors that we have, the contractor building the dock…," Mr Coughlin said.

“Our estimate is that we're going to have at full construction about 60 workers on the island. And we'll be building facilities for them to live on the island. The majority of them are on an operational basis. I think we're thinking about full-time and the nature in the neighbourhood of 20-plus employees, then filled in with part-time depending on the demand that we have.”

Mr Coughlin said sustainability is a "guiding principle" for the Turtlegrass brand, which only plans to develop 10 to 15 acres of the 121-acre property.

He said: “There's a couple parcels, but we own the majority of it, which is 121 acres. The amount that's being developed is in the 10 to 15-acre range, so a relatively small amount. The infrastructure is about a third of that. We're going to keep the natural landscape as much as possible around it and try to minimise the amount of development

“I'm a resident of The Bahamas. This is a passion project for me. I care about its viability, and that we bring tourism to The Bahamas, but I equally care about this being an experience where people walk away that they have a great appreciation for the environment and for the culture, and that's what our Turtlegrass brand is going to be about.”

He added that the resort will run primarily on solar energy, build with eco-friendly materials, ensure boaters respect the seagrass and grow produce in garden areas.

He said: “From growing food on the island to our building practices and how we handle, how we treat the waters, no anchors in the seagrass… of course, it'll be 100 percent solar on normal days.

“We're capturing water and getting some from wells, and we want to do a lot of planting of gardens, both fruit and vegetable gardens, to make sure that when people come they can experience locally grown food, and that'll be part of the experience.”

The developer said the resort will appeal to the eco-tourist and feature activities such as snorkeling, bird watching, hiking and art classes with local artists.

Mr Coughlin said: “I think it's going to be the eco-tourist fan. The people who want to go on an adventure with learning as part of it. To me, eco-tourism is about learning and about immersing yourself in the culture.

“We're going to build an artist studio here. We want to have Bahamian artists here so when guests come, they want to take a paint class and paint something with one of the artists… We want to have paintings in our cottages that are done by Bahamian artists.

“The nature hikes, the birding…the snorkeling and learning about all the things we have here in these beautiful waters are part of the experience.”

Mr Coughlin also anticipates partnering with Bahamian businesses to accommodate guests and hosting locals that want to learn more about our environment.

He said: “My goal here is to build something long-term that's viable and successful. I know we'll be able to command a decent price for it. But I think we'll also be at times sharing it with the community, and working with our partners like Staniel Cay and others when a bigger event comes, and we need to help each other as much as you can.”