The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS 

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE construction of an expanded slip dock at the rear of Baha Mar’s Cable Beach property was yesterday classified as “above board” by its senior vice-president Robert “Sandy” Sands.

Responding to months of questions and concerns over the construction, Mr Sands told The Tribune the dock expansion was nothing more than renovations to allow for “more maritime traffic”.

“I don’t understand where this misconception came from, this is not a marina, there was no dredging; this is a simple expansion of our dock in accordance to all of the regulatory and legal channels we adhere to,” Mr Sands said. This comes as several concerned citizens have reached out to The Tribune for information on the resort’s activities, all insisting no public pronouncements were made with respect to such a development.

These enquiries were later followed by at least two letters to the editor, published on November 28, 2018, and December 27, 2018, respectively.

In the first letter, the writer, Abraham Moss questioned the authorisation of the entire construction; asking for clarification on whether Baha Mar’s original heads of agreement included item lines for such a development.

“Was there a public application for this? Has Port Authority approved? What precisely is Baha Mar building? The water between Arawak Cay and west to Delaporte Point is supposed to be reserved with considerable restrictions such as the speed of water craft fishing. Does what Baha Mar is building comply? So we imploded the old Crystal Palace - no developer/investor would have spent a few million on that without a development plan having been approved to replace those buildings and we know it is proposed add an ‘amenity,’” the letter read.

Responding to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Sands said: “As you know, we are the owners of our own island now, Long Cay. We wanted to create a space significant enough to cater to our guests, inclusive of charter trips to both Balmoral Island and Long Cay.”

 “I don’t know where the mass panic is coming from. We have operated a pier of some sort from this location for the last three years, all we’ve done is develop the space to ensure that we can offer a better experience to our guests.

“Yes, some additional pier space has been added, but I can say firmly, no dredging has taken place. The existing (approvals) we have allow for what we have expanded to.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Carl Bethel on Sunday said he was not aware of any agreement that would have granted Baha Mar permission to “cut into the land”.

While admitting he was unaware of exactly what permits the resort had to carry out its construction, Mr Bethel said he was aware of the resort’s plans to develop a water park feature on par with Atlantis’ Aquaventure facility.

He referred all questions on building approvals to Works Minister Desmond Bannister, who in a separate conversation with The Tribune on Sunday, said he would have to speak with officials from the Ministry of Works who are more familiar with Baha Mar’s plans before commenting.

Up to press time yesterday, Mr Bannister said he was still awaiting information from his technical team.