Treasure Bay Casino in Grand Bahama. (Photo: Bahamas.com)
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
ABOUT 150 casino workers are expected to join the unemployment line in Grand Bahama this week due to the closure of Treasure Bay Casino on December 4.
A source told The Tribune that workers are expected to be paid their severance packages on Friday, December 2.
When contacted for comment, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe indicated that the closure would be temporary and the employees will likely be rehired once the casino reopens under new management.
“They will be replaced by another company, we’re completing (due diligence) work on them as well and they hopefully will begin the transition process a week or so post closure,” Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune.
“All employees will be satisfied by the severance from Treasure Bay and the government. The arrangement we’re discussing now is for the employees to be rehired.
“We’re hoping to bring a more exciting casino to add to what we’re doing in Grand Bahama.”
Attempts to reach officials at the casino, which is closed for repairs due to hurricane damage, were unsuccessful.
The Tribune attempted to speak with Craig Turner, a casino executive, but was told by a security worker that he was not on property at the time.
“They are just incurring expenses – they are gone,” said the source. “They were just keeping it open for the government.”
It is understood that government was subsidising the casino in Lucaya.
The source added: “I was told that the casino will be paying severance on December 2. The closure of Memories Resort has severely impacted the operation which relied on guests from the resort, which closed in early October following hurricane damage.”
The resort property is expected to reopen in the middle of December.
Comments
killemwitdakno 7 years, 11 months ago
I hope this casino was up to date in taxes and still owe it if not, that should cover whatever gov't is subsidizing.
Publius 7 years, 11 months ago
This shameless liar has been wrapping up a deal for a new buyer for almost five years now.
realfreethinker 7 years, 11 months ago
A compulsive liar. Just like how there was going to be a casino in the international bazaar. How y'all accept anything coming out of a plp mouth is beyond me. F@%K OB with his lieing ass
bahamalove 7 years, 11 months ago
Grand Bahama desperately needs new investors to take the island to another level. The quality of the hotel infrastructure is not up to par with those in a lot of the other 'exciting' island destinations. Tourists constantly complain that there is nothing to do on the island, service is often bad, and the general state of the island looks run-down, even prior to Hurricane Matthew. This revolving door of hotel and casino management companies will continue until Grand Bahama gets some quality investment that creates jobs on the island. Trump may give the Bahamas another lifeline by closing off Cuba to Americans again. We should not squander the opportunity to improve our state of affairs in our country.
Cobalt 7 years, 11 months ago
Not to worry. Things will be "dead good" soon.
Gotoutintime 7 years, 11 months ago
Only in the Bahamas can a business as lucrative as a Casino fail miserably!!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 11 months ago
Casinos out .............. Webshops in ...................Believe in Bahamians policy (BOL)
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