The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

ACCESS Industries and Kerzner International, the owners and operators of the One&Only Ocean Club, said yesterday that all staffing transitions related to the renovation and planned service enhancement at the resort have been completed, adding that no further changes were anticipated other than scheduling staff for time off during the August/September closure period.

In a statement sent to Tribune Business yesterday Ashley McBain, vice-president of corporate communications at Kerzner International, noted that the significant renovations being undertaken were to “safeguard the long-term future of the resort by making certain that it maintains the highest standard of luxury and to also ensure the sustainability of hundreds of Bahamian jobs”.

The Tribune reported last week that staff were concerned about their future employment at the luxury resort on Paradise Island due to the closure.

In May, resort management told The Tribune that the hotel’s owners, Access Industries, had been planning “a significant renovation” this summer with the $15m redevelopment of the Hartford Wing to include expanded and restyled rooms. That work started in June. Those plans also include a $3m pool on the beachfront between Dune restaurant and the wooden terrace, a $1m facelift and increased expenditure on entertainment at Dune and upgraded wifi across the property.

When that work starts later this month the resort will close to guests. Access Industries has pledged a $50m expansion of the Ocean Club and said that they were working through the approval process with the government.

In May the resort laid-off all 29 of its staff members employed at the Courtyard Terrace restaurant. That move was considered the start of the hotel’s planned multi-million dollar renovation.

Ms McBain said in the statement: “In order to conduct the more disruptive renovation work, the resort will be closing to guests from August 24 through the month of September. The resort will reopen in October with the Crescent Wing and the new Hartford Wing will debut in November. All staffing transitions related to the renovation and planned service enhancements have been completed with no further changes anticipated other than scheduling staff for time off during the August/September closure period.”

She added: “The renovation of One&Only Ocean Club to upgrade facilities and experiences is also being complemented by investment from Kerzner International/One&Only as the management company in training programmes to improve the future growth of team members and the overall service quality expected by today’s discerning travellers. The investment in the physical property and staff members of the resort aims at welcoming guests back to a new and refreshed One&Only Ocean Club that epitomises true Bahamian hospitality and elevates the positioning of this remarkable destination as the best of the Caribbean.”