BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2009 (CUOPM) – Silver Reef St. Kitts Resort expects to have six units completed by the end of September and 12 additional units finished by November.
Construction Director Sebastian Mottram told St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas during a site visit this weekend, that six more units are to be completed by December and 12 more by March 2010, subject to sales.
Silver Reef St. Kitts, when completed will comprise of 62 villas and apartments on 4.5 acres of land in Frigate Bay and is set amidst lush gardens on the edge of the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course with spectacular views of both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
“We came to St. Kitts three years ago, purchased the land from private persons and sought financing from an investment group in the United Kingdom. We will have 62 residential units, which satisfies the rental market. The units are sold freehold as investment products and will satisfy up to 200 people as full time guests,” Mottram told the touring party which included Parliamentary Representative and Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin and Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt.
The project includes commercial space and owners and guests will have full use of the resort’s beautiful sub-tropical gardens and its freeform and infinity edge swimming pools.
Mr. Mottram said when completed the US$30 million property will be operated by a local Caribbean resort management group.
He said the main sewer pipe has been connected to the treatment plant, the high voltage cabling is being laid and telephone, cable and Internet ducting is ongoing. Four blocks with 24 units are complete to roof level and two other blocks with 12 units are at ground level.
150 Kittitians and Nevisians are employed on the project with 50 directly employed by Silver Reef St. Kitts and the others by 30 local subcontractors. Only two workers are non-nationals.
Commenting at the end of the tour, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Douglas said he is pleased and impressed with the Silver Reef St. Kitts Resort project.
“This project will attract residential owners, clients and visitors from the United Kingdom. What is significant is the project is continuing apace despite the present global financial and economic downturn,” said Dr. Douglas, who noted that completion of the units by December augurs well for the government’s policy to attract the high end tourism market.
He lauded the local workforce for their contribution to the quality construction.
“It is very, very clear that the country continues to work despite the difficulties and challenges as a result of the international financial crisis. I am confident that the tourism product that my government is developing here is one that is being branded and attractive. The incentives provided to make this particular development possible must be encouraged,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who expressed thanks to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of International Trade, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Tourism for the collaborative efforts in the support of the Silver Reef St. Kitts Resort.
He also expressed thanks to the Parliamentary Representative, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin for his full support of the project.
Dr. Douglas said it is clear his government took the bold decision in transforming the sugar-based economy into one of tourism and hospitality services.
“There is no doubt that St. Kitts and Nevis is working. There is no doubt that St. Kitts is a very attractive destination and will continue to be so for a very long time as a result of our natural beauty, the warmth and hospitality of our people and a rich history,” said Prime Minster Douglas.
