Baha Mar officials on Thursday renewed their commitment to involving as many Bahamians as possible in the $2 billion Cable Beach redevelopment project, while announcing that Osprey Developers Company Limited has been awarded a contract to transform the Radisson Cable Beach Resort into a world-class facility.
Before selling the resort to Baha Mar just over a year ago, government officials repeatedly recognized that it was in dire need of further upgrades, and the Cable Beach Strip itself was thirsty for new life.
The awarding of the 65-week contract to Osprey is viewed as a key element of the Cable Reach redevelopment, and officials quickly assured that no worker has been or will be laid off as a result.
Baha Mar officials, who announced the contractor during a press conference in the old lobby of the Radisson, said the value of the work on the Radisson will be $80 million, but they declined to say what the value of the Osprey contract is.
At its peak, the construction on the Radisson is expected to employ 450 construction workers.
Don Robinson, president of Baha Mar Resort Limited, called Thursday a red-letter day for Cable Beach, and for the country.
“I use the word red-letter because today signifies the beginning of the end of the Radisson Cable Beach and Golf Resort as you know it and soon you will drive along the Cable Beach Strip just over a year from now and youﾒll be driving past a new and world-class, majestic resort,” Mr. Robinson said just before inking the deal with Peter Whitehead, Ospreyﾒs president.
Mr. Robinson explained that a significant portion of the $80 million will go toward refurbishment of all guest rooms, lobbies, restaurants and public spaces.
The first phase will involve the refurbishment of the already closed 346-west wing of the hotel, explained John Pagano, president of Baha Mar Development Company Ltd.
He said the west wing will be closed for approximately eight months. Once completed, Mr. Pagano added, it will re-open and the second wing will be closed for renovations.
“Though this renovation is one of several phases along the way to us achieving Baha Mar, a resort destination metropolis on Cable Beach, which will be the envy of the entire region, it is nevertheless a very significant one,” he said.
“We look forward to a very successful project.”
Baha Mar officials have already relocated Radissonﾒs check-in and reception areas to the downstairs ballroom area, but they said guests will still be able to have a full experience at the property.
Michael Sansbury, Baha Mar Resort Ltd. executive vice president, said the company has notified travel agents and tour operators about its plans and its timelines so that the stay of guests will not be disrupted by the construction.
Throughout the construction period, he said, the entire pool and beach area will be unaffected and Baha Mar will continue to operate a minimum of four restaurants and bars.
“So we think that our guests will be well taken care of,” Mr. Sansbury assured.
He added that all 180 people whose jobs are affected by the work have been placed in other areas of Cable Beach Resorts.
Mr. Whitehead, meanwhile, said his company was glad for the opportunity to be involved in the Baha Mar project.
“Weﾒre a 100 percent Bahamian owned company,” he explained. “We have been around for quite some time. Weﾒre delighted that Baha Mar has chosen us to build this fantastic facility. We will provide a fabulous product, it will be quality and it will be on time.”
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
