By Zns Bahamas
Copyright znsbahamas
A heads of agreement was signed between the government and Concord Wilshire for the sale and redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Hotel back in May. Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard questioned the progress of the project over the weekend.
Pintard was accompanied by Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. Kwasi Thompson in a video released on Saturday. He said, “the Davis administration promised a turnover in August 2025, that deadline has come and gone, but yet no update.”
The PLP responded with a press release that accused Pintard of acting in his own interests. It stated, “since the last FNM administration, when Michael Pintard sat in Cabinet and purchased the resort with no plan, the PLP has worked continuously to keep as many Bahamians as possible employed at that property.”
Mitchell assured that the project is moving forward in an interview with ZNS News on Monday. He said, “I think it’s a bit rich for someone who sat in the Cabinet, allowed the owners of the hotel to walk away with the insurance money and then sell to the government at a price which was above the appraised value of the property, stuck us with a $1 million payroll and maintenance fee to keep the business going. To be complaining about a government that’s now seeking and is one the way to resolving the issues in connection with getting the hotel starting again.”
During his statement Pintard also raised concern about the delay in salary payments for employees of the resort. According to Mitchell the payments were set to be made on Monday. “I’ve had that confirmed this morning in my discussions with all the officials. If that does not happen then get back to me. But the fact is they’re being paid today, the hotel is on its way being opened and that’s a good thing for Grand Bahama,” he said.
Michell explained that demolition of the buildings on the Grand Lucayan property was delayed due to the need for hotel rooms on the island. He said, “there’s a balancing act that’s been going on through all of the negotiations but there’s no doubt it’s going forward. We have every expectation that sooner rather than later they’ll be some clarity on things like when do you start building or when do you start demolitions, all of those things will take some time to develop. But the fact is the project is underway.”
