A pedestrian haven of stores, live music, refreshments, shade, restrooms and open space awaits cruise passengers to Grand Cayman once the land-based phase of the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal is fully business operational.
Pictured is the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal pier being utilised by cruise tenders during the week. This view is from the top floor of the new retail building at the terminal. |
This is expected in less than five months time. In fact, construction of the buildings at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
The construction company (Hurlstone Ltd. with Burns Conolly Group Ltd. as project manager) has put the proposed day of completion for the end of this month, explained Deputy Port Director Clement Reid.
The tender pier at the new cruise terminal was officially opened back in May 2005. It has proved its worth in dealing with large numbers of cruise tourists. ‘The pier has helped on days with seven or eight ships because it allows us to spread the ships through three separate piers,’ he said.
Another great help and congestion alleviator is the fact that passengers disembarking from the Royal Walter pier walk straight into the cargo dock area where their tour buses and taxis await them.
‘This offers much more control of passengers,’ explained Mr. Reid, who said that with 60 per cent to 70 per cent of cruise passengers going on pre-booked tours, it also keeps George Town relatively manageable.
Considering that the whole area of the new cruise terminal is three acres and the other two terminals (North and South) combined comprise less than an acre, it becomes apparent what an impressive space it really is.
The part of the terminal yet to open comprises a large retail building, which, with the ground floor and upper level combined, makes a total of 9,444 square feet, with room for 12 units.
Three of these have already been filled by tenants that had occupied the building that was knocked down to build the cruise terminal: Casanovas Restaurant, Too Hot and Tortuga Rum. They were offered first rights to tenancy under a set agreement.
Also up for lease are seven small yellow and blue kiosks that make up a little village in a corner of the large piazza area of the cruise terminal. Each of these is 205 square feet.
For the available units, the Port Authority has 126 applications on file from various individuals and companies and the Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on 15 February and decide on who will be given lease agreements.
‘We’re looking for a good mix of cruise related shops, such as duty free stores and some local craft shops. The leases on these units will be for five years,’ explained Mr. Reid, who added that craft stores will be kept to a minimum so as not to impact business at The Craftmarket.
The completion of the terminal is long awaited, as there have been long delays following Hurricane Ivan, and last hurricane season stormy weather also proved an obstacle.
The Port Authority has drawn down US$18 million of a US$27 million bank loan to build the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal. The agreement with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association is that the cruise association will give a dollar per passenger that comes here to pay back the loan over 15 years. Two million passengers per year are needed for the repayment.
The Port Authority will also get income from the tenants that occupy the retail outlets and from the renting of the area for outdoor evening events.
‘This will function as a dual facility,’ Mr. Reid explained. ‘It will function for cruise passengers by day and by night it will be available for events’.
The facility will be the perfect setting for outdoor functions. A covered band stand with removable stage is in the final stages of completion. The area has 14 restrooms for women and a similar number for men. The compound is a secure environment and will be gated for extra security. This would make it a perfect location for large weddings or concerts, with the ability to accommodate about 3,000 people for such an event.
‘We’re looking at it becoming George Town’s main event area,’ Mr. Reid explained, saying that the committees of both the Batabano festival and Pirates Week festival are interested in it as a location.
The interior of the buildings in the retail units is more or less completed and will be finished off and fitted by the tenants. It is hoped that by the end of June the businesses there can be operational.
The building, which will contain the Customs and Immigration office (625 sq ft), along with a booth for the Department of Tourism (168 sq ft) and a nurses’ station for emergencies (300 sq ft), is fully poured with concrete and is 13 feet above sea level.
The retail building is poured concrete at the side facing the sea and is 10 feet above sea level.
Other features of the facility will be a wide footpath of 20 feet which will run all alongside the front of the property down to where it joins the already 15ft wide sidewalk by the Port Authority building.
Just inside the southern most of the two main entrances from the road side will be a new, enhanced Seamen’s Memorial, with a list of all those who have perished at sea. The existing lighthouse will be a part of this. Mrs. Suzy Soto is spearheading this project which will comprise 4,000 lbs of granite.
A pedestrian crossing will feature outside this entrance also. Once inside, this will be a totally pedestrian area, and a place for residents to spend some quality time with family and friends. ‘We’d like to see it being utilised by residents as well as tourists,’ said Mr. Reid.
The huge piazza area will have shaded seating areas dotted all around it, and a live band will play each day at the adjacent band stand.
The entire complex is American Disability Association compliant with ramps and wheelchair accessible bathroom, as well as an elevator.
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