By Chester Robards
NASSAU, Bahamas — Despite the complete shutdown of operations and construction of a new water park due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Baha Mar Bay expects the park, with a promise of almost 500 direct jobs, to open next year — Baha Mar president Graeme Davis recently revealed to theme park and amusement attractions magazine InterPark.
“We have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all operations, including construction on property,” said Davis in reference to the Baha Mar Bay development. “As the health, safety and well-being of our associates and Baha Mar guests is of utmost importance, the construction work will resume once it is determined safe by the ministry of health to continue. The Baha Mar Bay development is scheduled to be completed in 2021.”
Baha Mar and the government signed an extension to the resort’s heads of agreement (HOA) in October and gave a timeline of 12 to 24 months for completion of the water park.
Baha Mar Bay is a $300 million investment that brings the total investment in the mega-resort up to $4.8 billion.
The [new] development will feature state-of-the-art water slides, surfing experiences, multiple restaurants, beachfront cabanas, a secret garden and novel gaming for adults. The water park is expected to be open to Bahamians and residents on a limited basis.
While the upgrades and expansion are expected to create about 500 direct jobs, they are also expected to create 1,000 indirect and induced jobs.
Baha Mar announced in October that a Bahamian firm has been hired to construct the project’s pools and hardscape, and indicated that at least 80 percent of the workers will be Bahamian.
Republished with permission of the Nassau Guardian
