The new Boatswain Beach multi-purpose facility of the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm is an investment projected to yield at least CI$365 million in revenue in 10 to 15 years.
The 26-acre project is expected to be fully functional in a little more than six months and is slated to open in January.
At a Saturday, 7 May, ceremony held to unveil the official plaque that commemorates the opening of the reception building, Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush, shared his vision for the facility.
‘While he has given me credit for some vision here, neither I nor the Government, or this farm, I believe, could have gotten here without Ken Hydes,’ he said. Mr. Hydes is managing director of the Turtle Farm.
He praised board member, Carlyle McLaughlin, calling him one of Cayman’s finest young men, accountants and businessmen.
He also heaped praise on Captain Eugene Ebanks, Mr. Joe Parsons and Mr. Bob Soto.
He said Mr. Soto, with the help of his wife, Miss Susie, is ‘one of our pioneers, one of the builders of our tourism. We are fortunate that we still have Mr. Bobbie with us and that he’s still willing to sit on our board, and to give advice and guidance.’
The Cayman Turtle Farm has been around for more than 35 years and has always been a favourite sightseers, but the new features, including a walk-through bird aviary, and a world-class research and educational facility, are expected to enhance its attractiveness.
When completed, the facility promises safe encounters with sharks, and jaunts along historical Cayman streets and nature trails.
Snorkelers will be able to have direct contact with turtles, fish and other marine life in a 1.3 million gallon salt water lagoon, but the predator sharks will be confined to tanks, that allow people to see but not touch the killer fish.
Mr. Bush said the money invested will yield great returns, including employment for about 80 additional Turtle Farm workers, which would bring staff strength up to 120.
He took time out to defend his handling of cruise ship-related issues, such as how many are allowed to come here per day and how quickly after Hurricane Ivan they arrived
Circumstances have vindicated his decision, he said, because without the cruise ship industry, this country would have been dead.
He said more than 25 per cent of tourists visit the turtle farm.
He said that people he met a t a conference in New York told him that a facility such as the Boatswain Beach project is in high demand and is sure to result in increased tourism to the Cayman Islands.
At the end of his address, Mr. Bush pulled the cord that unveiled the commemorative plaque.
Related Videos
