Contributed (OPM)
Minister of State with responsibility for local government reform and member of Parliament for West St Mary, Robert Montague (second left), is happy about his big plans for St Mary and the role that entrepreneur Chris Blackwell (left) will play in them to Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right). Occasion was the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of phase one of a beach village at Goldeneye, Oracabessa, on Friday, August 14. The expansion will see the construction of 11 beach cottages, a new suspension bridge and a beachfront restaurant at Goldeneye. Sharing in the moment are Jason Henzel of Island Outpost (centre) and Minister of Information and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz.
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
"Good hotels are places where you dream of staying. Great hotels are places where you want to live." Chris Blackwell.
On Friday, August 14, Blackwell, members of his Goldeneye team, and Prime Minister Bruce Golding broke ground announcing the first stage in the expansion of the St Mary resort, which will see the construction on the beach village comprising 11 cottages, a new suspension bridge and the Blue Bar, a new oceanfront restaurant.
"Essentially we are building little houses, built not just for the comfort of short-stay visitors, but for people who plan to make Goldeneye their home away from home," noted Rodger Brown, the man in charge of the project.
Brown spoke with passion about the new resort anchored on a beautiful beach, blessed with a two-storey restaurant offering a sweeping panoramic view of the ocean, the bay and the green hills of St Mary. Featuring stunning salt and fresh water pools, this project is more than just the expansion of a world-class boutique hotel.
"It's not about creating a residential resort with Island Outpost as the operator of the resort facilities, but providing accommodation that is individually owned by a mix of locals and foreigners, operated by Island Outpost, under a revenue sharing arrangement."
Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com