BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the launch of its world-class Tom Fazio golf course, the preparation of surrounding beaches, and the March 19 ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of its first community, the master plan for Christophe Harbour is quickly unfolding as the project aims to transform the Southeast Peninsula into a major tourist attraction.
Although the global financial crisis continues to impede the progress of a number of development projects across the Caribbean, Christophe Harbour has been able to make notable progress particularly with its residential complexes, overcoming some of the earlier challenges in weathering the economic challenges.
Chief Operations Officer Le Grand Elebash informed SKNVibes that the project is not immune to the ongoing crisis as there may be areas that would be affected. He however stated that the ground-breaking for the first homes strengthens the company’s commitment to the Government and people of the Federation.
“We are very excited that we can turn the soil in honour of the first homes to be constructed here at Christophe Harbour. This project has been years in planning and reflects the cooperation we have had with the Government. At the end of the day, this is a resort community and it is the people who would make this a real community.
“It is really interesting to see how much Razo Construction has engaged the local business community. This development will be a team effort that involves investors engaging local professionals to bring the first homes out of the ground. It is indeed a milestone for our development,” said Elebash during the ground-breaking ceremony.
Phase 1 of the project would see a total of 90 homes constructed in the Sandy Bank Bay area and a total of 1400 homes in the overall development plan. Elebash said the project encourages eco-friendly construction as the homes are designed to “exist in harmony with the nature”.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas congratulated the company on its progress amid the bleak economic situation, describing the event as a “significant milestone in the continued development”.
“When the government began to discuss the vision for this development, little did we know that we would have been impacted by so many challenges that confront us at this moment. Nevertheless, this project is moving on with a certain amount of expectation and I want to thank the developers for their confidence in the Government and people of St. Kitts for continuing this development despite the challenges. I recognize this project as a magnificent opportunity to moving our people forward.”
Christophe Harbour had not been entirely unscathed by the crisis. In late February, the company had dismissed a number of its workers in the name of “operational efficiency” but remained on target with its development plan.
Representatives from Razo Construction, the company constructing the first home, have worded their hopes of completing the first home by December of this year while project managers for the golf course have indicated that the first nine holes would be completed by this July.
