The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Sandals yesterday outlined a $4m renovation to be undertaken during a two-month closure of its Cable Beach property, saying that the work was being ‘fast tracked’ for what is shaping up to be its best winter season ever.

The resort’s management had been mum on the reasons for its abrupt closure since a letter by a senior sales executive acknowledging the closure was reported on by local media some two weeks ago. Sandals executives said yesterday that the repairs and upgrades which forced the 60-year-old Royal Bahamian resort’s closure yesterday are being fast-tracked at an estimated cost of $4m. Those upgrades and repairs are to be implemented within 14 weeks, which is described as a “massive feat itself’, considering the original time-frame for completion was appraised at four months.

“Simultaneously, the screening and re-hiring processes to engage the resort’s full complement of 750 staff are currently underway. This will also involve the SRI team carrying out extensive training of talents, to guarantee full mobilisation upon re-opening and thus ensuring the company’s award winning services are consistently maintained at the highest level,” Sandals said in a press release issued yesterday.

Sandals Royal Bahamian is set to unveil a newly renovated Windsor pool and restored Balmoral pool deck as well as major upgrades to five of its restaurants to include re-roofing. The Windsor Ballroom will also undergo significant improvements to include updated audio visual equipment and soft furnishings. Other repair work being undertaken extend to the resort’s Red Lane Spa and an overhaul of electrical systems in select areas. Several rooms and suites affected by recent emergency maintenance issues are also being restored.

“We are excited about the future of Sandals Royal Bahamian and look forward to celebrating its re-opening in October. The resort is on track to realize its best winter season and our actions now are in preparation for that very feat. This necessary remedial work is aimed at preserving our place in the market by ensuring Sandals Royal Bahamian is in the best shape of its life and its staff, who have the privilege of serving our guests, are also the industry’s very best,” Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International was quoted as saying, adding, “Our guests deserve nothing less and neither does the world-class legacy of Bahamian tourism.”

“We have been in The Bahamas for over 20 years,” says Stewart, “and we absolutely love The Bahamas. We want to express our gratitude and appreciation to The Bahamian government and its people for working with us in a spirit of cooperation to ensure a successful and timely re-opening; a celebration we will mark with our re-energised staff, industry partners, travel agents, airline executives and key players who build businesses for a better Bahamas.”

In a letter from Gary Sadler, Unique Vacations’ senior vice-president of sales, which was seen by Tribune Business, the resort blamed “circumstances” beyond its control for the pending closure and offered affected guests a chance to re-book their stays with any of the resort chain’s properties throughout the Caribbean. The letter read: “We appreciate your patience as we work through this challenging time. We have instituted a streamlined and efficient course of action for these guests who may be affected and are extending all of our call centre resources to you.”

Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson had accused Sandals Royal Bahamian of the “highest level of union busting” and blasted the resort for its imminent abrupt closure, which he said was almost treasonous to the Bahamian people. The Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU), which falls under the TUC umbrella, has since 2009 been seeking to negotiate an industrial agreement. Last week Sandals Royal Bahamian general manager Gary Williams and the resort’s financial controller Ronnie Mirza both appeared in a magistrate’s court for failing to negotiate with the union, unlawfully terminating several union executives and intimidating union executives. The men pleaded not guilty and were each granted $5,000 bail with one surety.