The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Cat Island’s new international airport could cost “at least” $13-$14 million, with the Government considering whether to proceed with the investment given the absence of commitments on the PGA Village project.

Prime Minister Perry Christie said the Government had yet to gain assurances that the multi-million dollar development by Cat Island Partners would continue, even if the airport was upgraded.

Addressing members of the business community at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday night, he said: “In Cat island there is a PGA investment where they are expecting us to build an airport.

“They are ready to go to bid  on building an airport in New Bight in Cat Island, but the great challenge is that airport will cost at least $13-$14 million. Do you build it not having the guarantees that the investment will continue.”

An upgraded New Bight airport is seen as vital to unlocking economic growth and development on Cat Island. The failure to make progress on an infrastructure project promised since 2008 has been the main obstacle to the PGA Village development, an investment billed as the ‘anchor project’ for the island.

The PGA project, being developed by the Cat Island Partners consortium, has suffered protracted delays due to lengthy discussions with the Government over the airport rebuilding - what the facility should look like; the standard it must be built to; and who will be responsible for its financing and construction.

Cat Island Partners is headed by Southworth Development, the same company that acquired the Abaco Club at Winding Bay in conjunction with a group of homeowners.

    Mr Christie said the Government had hired Canadian consulting firm, Stantec, to develop master plans for the redevelopment of major airports in the Family Islands.

“We did a consultancy on airports in the Bahamas because we recognised that the Government has the responsibility for 28 airports, and that when people travel to those airports there must be a concern  for security,” Mr Christie said. 

“We did  a study with a group called Stantec and they said that we need $150 million to remediate our airports. We have decided to fix some airports.”

Only six Family Island airports have been identified as key ‘port of entry’ gateways that can be economically sustainable.

The Moss Town airport in Exuma, as well as the North Eleuthera, San Salvador, Marsh Harbour and Bimini airports, are included in that group.