$7.5m makeover for 'outdated' Horseshoe Bay

This is the first digital image of what the island’s most popular beach will look like when the new restaurant and changing areas are built.

Plans are in place to demolish the existing building, which many tourists complain about, and replace it with a two-storey, state-of-the-art facility with an ocean-view balcony.

The redevelopment is expected to take about two years, with ground being broken as soon as the first week of March.

It is “desperately needed” to cope with the increasing number of visitors.

The current facilities were built to cater for 800 people a day but up to 2,500 people now visit the beach during the peak season. 

It is hoped the new facility will “sell the beach” to locals and tourists during the day and at night. It is a private-public partnership between the South Shore Hospitality Group and Government, who own the building.

Phil Perinchief, spokesman for the leaseholders, said the current facilities are “outdated and far-from-adequate”.

He added: “This is very much needed, it’s been needed for years.

“The condition and capacity of the existing building is vintage, it’s just not up to scratch.

“It’s a purpose-built facility that will keep people at the beach for as long as possible. We want people to get there in the morning and make a  day of it. Even on rainy days there will be something to do.

“This is our signature beach and this facility will be seen on people’s pictures throughout the world. It’s going to be something Bermuda can be proud of.”

The development will be carried out in two phases to create minimal disruption.

Phase one, which will cost about $2.5 million, will see the existing washrooms doubling in size with a separate shower and changing area. There will new toilets, indoor and outdoor showers and better septic tanks.

Tourists have long been frustrated by the “inadequate capacity” of the bathrooms.

There will also be lockers for people’s valuables and a storage room for the lifeguards’ equipment.

Phase one is due to start in March and be completed by the end of June.

Phase two, which will cost about $5 million, includes the building of a bigger and upgraded kitchen with a take-out food counter, an outside ice cream counter, a rental shop and a gift shop.

Upstairs there will be enclosed seating for 30 people and a further 40 seats on the balcony. A take-out service will be offered during the day and at night the upstairs dining area will be run as a restaurant.

The upstairs space, which will have a fireplace, may also be used as an Internet room, a business centre or a children’s games room during the winter months.

The outside patio area will be spruced up with seating for 54 people. There will also be a small water bar which “people can dip their feet into to cool down”.

Phase two is expected to begin in November and completed by June 2012.

The building will be in “Bermuda pastel colours” with traditional sloped roofs and deep porches.

It will be constructed of natural stone with wood finishes and surrounded by landscaping.

Michael Somers, an architect at Cooper Gardner, said: “Everyone thinks this facility is long overdue. It is a beach but it makes sense to have amenities that are adequate for the people who go.

“The facility will be ideal to get a little shelter from a passing storm or even if it’s a little windy.

“People may also want to make use of the upstairs seating  area if they want to get out of the sun.”

The beach’s parking lot will also be expanded to include more spaces for cars and security lighting. Disabled car parking spaces will also be added and a boardwalk built so those in wheelchairs can easily access the facilities.

Plans are also in place to extend the sidewalk down the access road from South Shore Road.

There has been “minimal objection” from BEST and the Bermuda National Trust.

Concerns raised included the visual impact, possible damage from storm surge and the size of the septic tanks.

The planning application is awaiting review by the Planning Department.

Mr. Perinchief said: “We would have liked to have started earlier but we can’t go any faster than the planning application allows.

“It’s taken from October until now to go through the planning process.

 “Fingers crossed we are now moving and heading towards the next stage, then we can get on with it post haste.”

The Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy did not respond to our request for comment.