Sampson Cay to get new $25m resort

tourism product to even greater heights.

“Sampson Cay, located just north of Staniel Cay, will be transformed into a $25m environmentally friendly boutique resort and marina, generating numerous jobs for Bahamians during the construction phase and further employment opportunities once operational,” he said at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

“The project is selffinanced by permanent resident and philanthropist, Mr Robert Coughlin. We’ll see the revitalisation of existing structures on the island, the upgrade of the airstrip and the creation of a state-of-the-art marina.

“These enhancements will be executed exclusively by Bahamian contractors, and architects demonstrating Mr Coughlin’s commitment to investing in the people of this nation.

“As a result of this significant new development, local companies will thus be patronised, tax revenue would be generated and increased competition in the luxury market will raise our tourism product to greater heights.”

Sampson Cay Retreat will feature a main house that serves as a central dining and gathering spot and beach cottages with a total of 22 rooms plus staff housing for up to 15 people, utilising less than 10 percent of the 121 acres purchased by the company. The remaining acreage will have walking and cycling trails and related fitness and wellness assets, including kayaking, yoga, snorkelling and diving.

A marina will not be built in the first phase, according to Bob Coughlin, the company’s president.

However, he did note that the resort will host local artists in keeping with their goal to present a true authentic Bahamian experience for their guests.

He also committed the project to being environmentally sustainable.

“I think a lot of the sustainable features will be in the power, in the water generation, in how we use the land and in what we grow... I don’t think we’re going to bring a whole lot of external landscaping to the island,” he also said.

“We’ll grow as much as we can (that) we can eat on the island. In terms of the waters out in front of us, there is some sea grass and we’ll have rules like what can and can’t be done in terms of walking in the sea grass even.” He also said: “In terms of the materials and how we build, we’re not going to come in with big bulldozers. We’re going to pinpoint where we have to build things and where we have to build concrete and how we have to do things.

“We’re hand-building paths throughout the island right now.” For the cottages, he said they will install meters “that show how much water and how much power people are using each day”.

The project will be constructed over an estimated three-year period, he added.

When asked how many jobs will be available after the development’s completion, Mr Coughlin replied:

“I think a round number of 15 to 20 jobs is likely. I think actually our agreement is probably a little less than that in terms of permanent jobs, but I also think that things like artists and things like that, we’ll pay people to come to the island to be a part of the experience.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper welcomed the development with open arms, telling reporters he was looking forward to the project’s completion.

“This is going to be a great boost to the Exuma cays,” Mr Cooper said. “Sampson Cay is one of the most magnificent marine habitat areas in the Exumas, beautiful sandbanks, eco sensitive marine environment and, therefore, I know that this is going to work harmoniously with what now exists in the cays.”

This latest signing comes less than a week after the government signed a heads of agreement for a $56m resort development in the Exuma cays.

The 36-acre development on Elizabeth Island will be completely sustainable featuring a two-acre protected marina, six private beaches, 28 solar powered residences, and resort amenities, officials said.

King Charles Iii Message Shared On Commonwealth Day As Schools Mark The Event

THE Commonwealth has a “near-boundless potential as a force for good”, King Charles III has said in a message today for Commonwealth Day, while the Governor General of The Bahamas has also released a message to mark the occasion.

In his message, King Charles said: “Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved Mother, The late Queen – a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life.

“In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, I draw great strength from her example, together with all that I have learnt from the extraordinary people I have met, throughout the Commonwealth, over so many years.”

He added: “The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me.

Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold.

“This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Charter of the Commonwealth, which gives expression to our defining values – peace and justice; tolerance, respect and solidarity; care for our environment, and for the most vulnerable among us.

“These are not simply ideals. In each lies an imperative to act, and to make a practical difference in the lives of the 2.6 billion people who call the Commonwealth home.”

Drawing attention to issues across the Commonwealth, he added: “Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health, or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time. Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.

“In this we are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, including one and a half billion people under the age of thirty. Our shared humanity contains such precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience. By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek.

“This extraordinary potential, which we hold in common, is more than equal to the challenges we face. It offers us unparalleled strength not merely to face the future, but to build it. Here, the Commonwealth has an incredible opportunity, and responsibility, to create a genuinely durable future – one that offers the kind of prosperity that is in harmony with Nature and that will also secure our unique and only planet for generations to come.”

King Charles concluded: “The myriad connections between our nations have sustained and enriched us for more than seven decades. Our commitment to peace, progress and opportunity will sustain us for many more. “Let ours be a Commonwealth that not only stands together, but strives together, in restless and practical pursuit of the global common good.”

In his own statement, Governor General Sir CA Smith said: “Today, in common with the 56 Member-States of the Commonwealth of Nations, we celebrate Commonwealth Day. This year’s observance is under the Theme ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’ which combines the commitment of member states to support the promotion of peace, prosperity, and sustainability. This objective is particularly geared towards the pursuit of a better future for our young people and to generally improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.

“It is notable that, as we in The Bahamas celebrate our 50th year as an Independent Nation, it is also the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Program (CYP). Through that organisation, many of our people have already benefitted, and more opportunities will become available in the future.

“Against this background, I take this opportunity to remind our young people to be even more aware that your future, and that of our Nation, lies within your hands. You must therefore be fully prepared to seize the opportunities which become available. With proper preparation and qualifications, you will be ready to face the future as qualified and effective citizens, and you will earn the regard and gratitude of your parents, your teachers and all the members of your community. As is commonly said, ‘the ball is in your hands’.

“Happy Commonwealth Day! And may God continue to bless our Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

During an event at CH Reeves Junior High School, Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Renewal Lisa Rahming also saluted Commonwealth Day, saying: “The history of the Commonwealth is full of examples of what happens when we work together for the common good.”