Pink Beach construction works to get underway following groundbreaking

On Saturday (July 12), the Premier and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Dunkley, JP, MP, joined the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport the Hon. Shawn Crockwell, JP, MP, and the Minister of Home Affairs Sen. the Hon. Michael Fahy JP, for an informal groundbreaking at the Pink Beach Club.

The modest event signals the formal start of redevelopment works at the hotel site, which is being developed by Sardis Developments Ltd. Also present at the groundbreaking on Saturday was Sardis Development Ltd. representative, Mr. Stephen King.

Currently there are demolition works already taking place at the site. And it is anticipated that full construction works on the site will start immediately on the planned 34-room boutique hotel.

As a particular note, this project is one of the first projects that will benefit from the construction tax relief which was announced by the Premier in May.

Today Premier said, “We were thrilled to signal the development of the Pink Beach site with Saturday’s groundbreaking. It is an indication to the people of Bermuda that tangible work is underway regarding hotel development.

“I’m pleased to also highlight that our construction relief initiative came into effect on July 1^st, and the Pink Beach redevelopment is one of the projects that will benefit from this initiative, and this will translate into jobs for Bermudians.

“This Government continues to work hard towards turning our economic fortunes around and Saturday was a demonstration of our promise. We will continue to work with those entities that are committed to and supportive of Bermuda and I wish to thank Sardis Development Ltd. and Mr. King for their dedication to this project.”

Meanwhile, Minister Fahy, who has the Department of Planning under his remit and who is also a member of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) said, “I would like to thank the Department of Planning for their efficient processing of this project - in particular the Director of Planning Aideen Ratteray Pryse and Planners Tamsyn Doran and Victoria Pereira who have worked tirelessly to process this application as quickly as possible, despite tight deadlines and the complexity of the project. The redevelopment of Pink Beach is an exciting event for Bermuda. As the Premier noted, this will result in employment opportunities for Bermudians and will be a dynamic new boost for tourism.”

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Minister Crockwell added, “From a tourism standpoint, we are very encouraged to see some movement with this property. There are genuine strides being made with hotel development in Bermuda and Pink Beach is proof positive of that.

“It’s about ensuring that Bermuda increases its hotel inventory so that we can remain competitive and welcome more visitors to our shores. I anticipate that once this project is complete it will be a first class addition to our overall visitor offering. And I want to echo the Premier’s sentiments in thanking Sardis Developments Ltd. and Mr. King for their confidence in Bermuda’s tourism product.”

And Constituency representative Sylvan Richards, JP, MP, who has been monitoring the development closely said, “This location is considered to be one of the most breathtakingly, beautiful areas in Bermuda. We welcome this hotel redevelopment and are pleased with its progress thus far. Mr. King should be commended for his efforts to breathe new life into our tourism product.”