The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

DEVELOPERS behind the mixed-use Jack’s Bay resort community in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, believe it will “stand out” in the marketplace similar to an Albany or Baker’s Bay.

“Just as Atlantis had to happen for Baha Mar to exist, we really needed Baker’s Bay and Albany to happen for Jack’s Bay to be seen in the light it could be seen today,” said Jack’s Bay developer, Sir Franklyn Wilson, at a recent reception.

He said the new mixed-use resort was one of only five world-class properties in The Bahamas with a golf element, which places it in the company of the Lyford Cay Club, Albany, Ocean Club Estates and Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club.

“Out of those five communities, we have this combination of leadership with proven capacity in the global arena. But we also have a board of directors comprising leading business people in the country. Our stockholder base is impressive by any concept in The Bahamas,” said Sir Franklyn.

He added that a team of local and foreign professionals, featuring Michael Abbott of Beacon Land Development; architect Bob Colman of Colman Design Group; and TGR Design by Tiger Woods, made Jack’s Bay a competitive island offering.

“So I believe, through that combination of proven global expertise, we have positioned Jack’s Bay to provide the best Bahamian experience,” Sir Franklyn said.

Jack’s Bay will comprise three subdivisions of residential lots and a five-star rated, 52-room lodge. Lots in two subdivisions have already been sold, and some buyers expect to begin construction of their homes by the end of January 2019. Other key amenities include the Salt Spray restaurant.

The development will also feature water sports, a lagoon and a farm, along with a 10-hole, par-3 golf course designed by Tiger Woods and dubbed his “playground”.

Jim Goodman, Jack’s Bay’s chief executive, said this shorter 10-hole golf course will attract players of all kinds. “For years we’ve been trying to figure out how to get more people into the game and how to take advantage of our biggest obstacle in golf, which is time,” he added.

“But I think the short course is a wonderful alternative. The diehard players can be shooting for the pins and trying to make birdies, and the kids can be putting from tee to green and enjoying the game. It’s a great family component.”

The Jack’s Bay developers recently partnered with Cat5 Building Systems, a US-based company, to bring innovative and sustainable construction to the project. CaT5 specialises in materials such as fibre glass solar panels that withstand intense hurricane winds; a block system that takes less time to construct than the typical concrete masonry unit system; and basalt rebar, a rust-resistant substitute for the steel rebar commonly used in construction.

Tommy Turnquest, a member of the Jack’s Bay development group, said construction plans were recently adjusted after an environmental impact assessment (EIA) revealed the presence of a turtle sanctuary on property.

“We believe that the property that God gave us is one of the nicest in The Bahamas, and it is incumbent upon us, as good stewards, not to mess it up,” said Mr Turnquest.

“We’ve been very deliberate in not just trying to sell the land to turn over cash, but to make sure that our development is sustainable and done in the right way. At the end of the day, Bahamians - and more particularly, persons in Eleuthera - would be pleased with the end product.”