A mega resort complex in the Bahamas, called Baha Mar, has recently announced that it will expand with the building of a brand new water park. The total cost of this expansion has been estimated to be $300 million.
According to some local newspapers, the resort has signed a contract with the government and that Baha Mar’s total investment in the project will be roughly $4.8 billion. The new water park will include both a park and an entertainment centre and will be called Baha Mar Bay.
The current Baha Mar resort contains a casino, a spa, a golf course, and three hotels. The resort is situated on an island called New Providence in the Bahamas. A Hong-Kong based company called Chow Tai Fook Enterprises is the current owner of the resort.
The Baha Mar bay water park and entertainment centre will be constructed over about 14-15 acres of land that was previously occupied by the Crystal Palace Casino and the now-broken down Wyndham hotel. Construction of the new water park will take approximately a year or two to complete.
The entertainment centre to be built along with the water park will comprise of new facilities that provide food and beverages, new renovations to the beach, and enhancements to the current Baha Mar pier and the Melia hotel.
According to Dr Hubert Minnis, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the new park and centre will include a family-friendly recreational area with water attractions for guests of all ages.
The Prime Minister also said that the new expansion will include an area for the general public “to enjoy the attractions and activities.”
Alongside the construction of the new water park and entertainment centre, the government has also planned renovations to the beaches at a private island called Long Cay.
The second phase of the project will involve the widening and lengthening of the pier:
“The new pier restaurant will provide a greater variety of beachfront and pool dining options for the guests at the resort and Baha Mar Bay, and it will complement the existing food and beverage offerings at the resort.”
The expansion will include the construction of two activity centres meant for children, including arts and crafts, virtual reality (VR), and theatre.
The latest project will also entail renovations and upgrades to the Melia Nassau hotel. New restaurants, meeting areas, gyms, and public spaces will also be part of the new construction.
The construction of Baha Mar Bay is expected to create 500 direct and 1000 indirect jobs, with 80% of the workers hired being natives of the Bahamas.
Following the destruction caused by the Hurricane Dorian earlier this year, the Bahamian government sees these jobs as crucial for uplifting and reconstructing the economy.
