Anguilla government supports project featuring Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

The Anguilla Government has given enthusiastic support to an announcement by the principals of Conch Bay Development Ltd., an Anguillian-owned company, of their plans to develop the Forest Estate which is in the ownership of the much-respected Lake & Kentish family.

The project, estimated in excess of US$ 750 million, was previously brought to the attention of the Government. It was further outlined at a press conference held in the Chief Minister's Office on Wednesday, January 3. Those in attendance included Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan and Senior Government Adviser, Eric Reid. Those who represented the company were Members of the Board of Directors, Joyce Kentish, Chairperson; George Lake, George Kentish and Dr. Cuthwin Lake. Other Directors not present were George Arthurton and Ronald Broomes.

The project involves a 140-suite Five Star hotel, villa estates, condominium homes, spa, tennis courts and restaurants with up to 440 rooms, according to spokesman for the company, George Lake.

Chief Minister Fleming lauded the new grand project proposal as a further example of Anguillians "stepping up to the plate" by becoming involved in development projects. He listed a number of local developers, such as Sheridan Smith, Allan Gumbs and Quincy Gumbs, and was exceptionally proud that the Lake and Kentish family had now joined them in participating in Anguilla's prosperity by coming up with one of the biggest projects to be undertaken by an Anguillian company.

"We have had preliminary discussions with the proprietors who are all Anguillians," Mr. Fleming stated. "We sat comfortably discussing this project and, on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, we have given this project our full support," he stated. He noted that there were risks associated with the project but promised that the Government would do everything to ensure that it became a prosperous entity. He said that the Government's moratorium on large-scale tourism projects was intended for foreign investors only and was to give Anguillians a chance to participate in the development of their island.

Finance Minister Victor Banks said the Conch Bay Development was a very important project for Anguilla not only in terms of the economy, but in setting an example for the rest of the Anguillian community. It showed that it was possible for local people to embark on large-scale projects using the same methodologies that investors in other parts of the world had used.

In outlining the project proposals, George Lake, an Anguillian lawyer, praised the Government for its wisdom in putting the moratorium in place. "Because the Forest Estate is owned in its entirety by resident Anguillians, the developers are proud to present this 100-percent-owned Anguillian resort to the people of Anguilla as a perfect example of the success of the moratorium," he said. "It is the sincere hope of the principals that the project will bring great value to their friends and neighbours [and] the citizens of Anguilla."

Lake, reading from a prepared statement, continued: "This elegant project will set new standards for the luxury resort residential market in Anguilla and throughout the Caribbean. And, at long last, Anguilla will finally have a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, representing the epitome in course design. In addition to the members only 18-hole championship course that Jack and his design team are creating the Resort at Conch Bay will feature a 140-suite "Five Star" hotel, plus villa estates, condominium homes, spa, tennis courts and restaurants.

"Located on almost 400 acres facing the Caribbean [sea], its beaches will be part of more than two miles of ocean frontage. Because the land is undeveloped, no one will be displaced, no buildings will be destroyed and it will be afforded the luxuries of proper land planning, site design and a naturally-created "links style" Signature Golf Course."

Mr. Lake disclosed that final contract negotiations were being completed with a leading North American hotel chain to operate the resort and provide all the services for residents and guests of the private residencies. He added that residential sales and Founder Golf Memberships would be the responsibility of IMI Living, a company with prior successes in the sales and marketing of high-quality residential resort properties on Anguilla.

Lawyer Joyce Kentish thanked the Anguilla Government "for its vision and foresight not only for putting the moratorium in place, but enabling the family's project... to gather the momentum and to pitch the elements in such a way, that our vision and sensitivities had to focus on the purpose of the moratorium."

She also thanked the Government for the type of development platform it had structured for Anguilla. She noted that by pursuing "qualitative rather that quantitative development had set the tone for the tourist product. She added that as a result that had enabled her company to come forward with a project of that nature. She felt that daunting as the project appeared to be, the company had the assurance that it was not "beyond the scope of the achievable, the realisable and the attainable."

Dr. Cuthwin Lake underlined the company's gratitude to Government for supporting the project. "Being a modest perhaps but a significant family in this country...it has always been our philosophy that we would as a group do something significant that would hold the land together for the benefit of everybody," he stated.

He said this was the preferred way rather than selling some of the land or building houses as critics had suggested. He added that the family had long-standing plans for land development and was delighted that younger relatives had now come forward with the support of seniors family members to take up the challenge.

George Kentish was pleased with the cordial atmosphere in which the talks had taken place so far and the keen interest of the Government in the project.

Chief Minister Fleming, responding to a reporter's question about how long the process would take for approval of the project by the Executive Council, said it would not have to follow the same procedure as a foreign investment proposal. He explained that for example there would be no requirement for due diligence as the developers were nationals of Anguilla, well-known and well-positioned.

Mr. Fleming urged Miss Kentish to submit the Memorandum of Agreement to Government as soon as possible to hasten the approval of the project. She commented that the document was being drafted and should be ready for submission shortly.