BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EXCAVATION of soil from the Great Salt Pond was the highlight of a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday (Jan. 20) to signal the start of construction of the mega yacht marina at Christophe Harbour.
The symbolic event was witnessed by Christophe Harbour staff, representatives from government agencies and the associated companies already contracted in the early phases of the overall Christophe Harbour project.
In the words of Christophe Harbour Chief Operating Officer LeGrand Elebash, yesterday was the most exciting day in the history of Christophe Harbour because the identity of the project focuses heavily on the mega-yacht marina. He noted that fulfilling the vision of the marina is “very exciting” for the entire resort and yachting community.
Upon completion, the Christophe Harbour marina and yacht harbour is expected to provide approximately 300 acres of water surface with spacious berthing capacity. The marina will have a protected entrance and safe inner harbour, 300 slips with 50-60 slips accommodating vessels 85 to 300 feet in length and a designated port of entry with streamlined customs and immigration services.
Elebash said he is excited to see the core facility evolve into a vibrant and thriving marina village, and the attractive amenities and services will liken it unto “one of the most spectacular harbour communities anywhere in the world”.
“This harbour site could not have been more naturally suited for a mega yacht marina if a marine engineer had been given the opportunity to design it. This harbour is naturally perfectly protected, which makes it the best harbour site in the Caribbean. We are going to be able to take the world’s largest boats here,” the Christophe Harbour official noted.
The first phase of the project has been awarded to St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd., a local marine heavy machinery and construction company. The company has begun excavating and transporting structural fill over the northern and eastern edges of the salt pond to form the site of 40-plus new harbour front homes. St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd. will also dredge material from over 30 acres of the smaller salt pond to refill the valleys at the base of the golf course.
The local company has been contracted for 12-14 months to execute the first phase, after which construction of the first piers and bulkheads on the western head of the hill will commence.
CEO of St. Kitts Marine Works Regiwell Francis said he is “very excited” at the involvement of skilled locals the southeast peninsular development. He reported that his company has already started work on dredging, excavation and land reclamation.
“We are moving on schedule; I think everything is going to go really well and I want to thank Christophe Harbour and the government for the opportunity to prove ourselves by trying to encourage locals to get ourselves equipped and to go out there and get the capabilities to do these kinds of jobs,” Francis said.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas applauded the project as one of “extreme importance” projecting enormous social and economic ramifications. He added that the project falls squarely in the development model of the government.
“The model that we have embraced to build upon this careful moving forward of our economy is definitely based with a mix of direct foreign investment and local entrepreneurial vision coming from the people and government of St. Kitts-Nevis,” PM Douglas said.
Twelve slips in the marina have been tested on the international market and eight reservations for boats ranging in length from 100-250 feet have been made and are allegedly eager to be the first to own their own piece of the marina at Christophe Harbour.
