BIMINI, Bahamas — Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said the Government has agreed to the request of Resorts World to proceed immediately with plans for the next phase of its development for the island of Bimini that will amount to $150 million.
The Prime Minister said this further development is expected to create a most attractive, charming and compelling mixed resort mecca, which will blend in with and incorporate the traditional characteristics and flavour of Bimini.
“This further capital investment of $150 million in the Bahamian economy will be completed within three years and will include the following components amongst others: two luxury low-density hotels with a total of 600 rooms and numerous added amenities, expanded casino, creation of some 1,000 jobs, improvements to historical sites and creation of museums.” Speaking at Resorts World Bimini after the inaugural voyage of the Bimini Superfast with passengers from the Port of Miami, Saturday, July 20, he said there will be further expansion of the airport and public infrastructure, the sponsoring of fishing and other events, major housing initiatives to accommodate employees and residents, and the internship of Biminites at other overseas resorts of Resorts World.
“The entire Bimini community will be integrated into their plans within the parameters of a carefully prepared and government approved master plan for the orderly growth and development of north and south Bimini. The Prime Minister said, “This master plan is being prepared by the well-known planning firm, EDSA in collaboration with appropriate Bahamian professionals with input from relevant government and non-government bodies and the community of Bimini.”
He added that protection would be afforded to the environment in all aspects of the development and its operations.
“Strategic to the success of this project, the tourism industry and the economy of Bimini as a whole is the provision of low cost, efficient and high quality and year round transportation to Bimini. “In this regard, the developers have acquired (and you have been on it today) and upgraded and furnished the Bimini Superfast at a cost of some $100 million.”
Prime Minister Christie said, “We are now heralding in The Bahamas, the first cruise destination in our country where there is a specific destination and a specific cruise ship servicing that destination by itself.”
He said that under the famous Resorts World brand, Bimini Bay has emerged as an ecstatically and architecturally pleasing 750-acre oceanfront resort consisting of luxury homes and condos and comprising 480 residences. It has the largest lot marina complex in The Bahamas and can accommodate yachts up to 200 feet. There are restaurants, magnificent pools, an open air shopping village, a tennis centre and a new well appointed modern casino tastefully decorated and offering one of a kind vistas to the sea.
