 |
Press Releases
NIA unveils plans for half-billion dollar five star hotel and villa development
Charlestown Nevis (September 21, 2005) -- The Nevis Island Administration has unveiled plans for a
half billion dollar hotel and villa development on Pinney's Estate that would provide employment to
hundreds of Nevisians and whose ground breaking ceremony would be held in March next year.
Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance, Mr Vance Amory, who delivered the feature address at a
grand reception held Sunday evening on the grounds of Old Manor Hotel in Gingerland to introduce
developers of the project, said that the function marked the beginning of the process of moving
Nevis to a higher level.
Describing the event as a new dimension in the development of Nevis, the Premier recalled that that
18 years ago when he approached the people of Nevis, "they were gracious enough to have given my
party and myself the opportunity to bring to reality the vision which we presented to you those
long years ago."
Premier Amory observed that he wanted to share with Nevisians "What we expect from New Found
Development in partnership with us here in Nevis in respect to the development of a five star hotel
and villa development with golf course on 600 acres of prime land at Pinney's Estate."
He told the gathering that the government had the opportunity initially of meeting with the
principals of the company, and they decided that they would take their time and do due diligence,"but more importantly, when they suggested that we visit their property in Newfoundland, Canada, we
decided that that might be also just as important as doing due diligence."
The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Mr Malcolm Guishard, who had travelled to Newfoundland with the
Premier told the gathering: "The saying 'Good things come to those who wait' best describes my
feelings today as we take a quantum leap in our quest to further the development of our tourism
plant."
He hit out at newspaper articles by prominent members of the Nevisian community suggesting that the
project would not be of a five star quality. He said the wait by the government was to ensure that
Nevis struck it big again.
"Nevis has become known and renowned for the quality accommodation that we were not willing to
compromise," commented Mr Guishard. "We wanted to match or even surpass in quality and amenity that
which we already have. I am pleased to report today that the proposed development at Pinney's would
easily compare with any one the island."
Master of Ceremonies, Mr Tyrone O'Flaherty, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Tourism, introduced the three directors of New Found Properties Limited, Mr William Thompson, Mr
James Cabourne and Mr Owen Pritchard, to the cheering gathering.
Mr Williams who gave an overview of their plans for the Pinney's Estate lands said: "We are a
company that believes in delivery, we do not take it lightly. We are delighted to be here. We
didn't choose Nevis randomly, I have seen all of the Caribbean islands and I have been around the
world and I believe that we are going to develop something here that is going to be unprecedented
anywhere and I do not say that lightly."
He noted that in general terms through the construction phase they estimate about 650 people would
be directly employed and through the operations they expect a staff of 1,000. Through knock-on and
induced business, the project would bring to the island a total job creation of about 2,200.
"We would like to break ground in March 2006. We estimate the total project value at about half a
billion dollars. We think that over an eight-year period government will receive, and we are
delighted with this, of the order of 86 million dollars, which is obviously for the direct benefit
of the Nevisian people. Coupled with the fact we expect ultimately we will get somewhere between
a million and a million people through here a year," added Mr Williams.
The colourful ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Governor General, His Honour Mr Eustace John, the President of the Nevis Island Assembly, the Hon Mrs Marjorie Morton, members of the Nevis
Island Administration cabinet, the Hon Mr Arthur Evelyn, a former minister of Tourism, Chairman Mr
Michael Morton and directors of TDC, who introduced New Found Developers to Nevis, Mr Frederick
Morton Jr. of MTV and Ms Helen Kidd, CEO Nevis Tourism Authority.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pix captions:
1: Tourism Minister, Hon Malcolm Guishard making a presentation. Seated behind him are from left,
Mr Frederick Morton Jr. of MTV, Premier Hon Vance Amory, Mr Owen Pritchard, Mr James Cabourne and
William Thompson. On the right is Mr Tyrone O'Flaherty. |
|
|
