Cruisers and residents will have something to celebrate once the land-based phase of the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal at the end of Fort Street is completed by the end of this month.
Not only has the new pier given another alternative for disembarking cruise visitors, it will also become a venue for Caymanians and residences.
The plans is to use the terminal during the day for cruise ship passengers.
But at night, the venue can be set up for concerts, meetings, dances. The plan is for it to become George Town’s main event area.
The outside open area will soon be fitted with shaded areas so people taking a break for lunch can brown bag it and enjoy the magnificent view of the sea from the Royal Watler Terminal.
Retail space will be available, as will colourful, fanciful kiosks. The entire facility is to be fully operational by the end of June.
The terminal is more than just another positive drawing tool for tourists. It will be something everyone can use and enjoy.
The huge piazza area will offer shaded seating areas and a live band will play each day at the adjacent band stand.
To the credit of its designers and the Port Authority, the new terminal complies with the American Disability Association rules, which means it has ramps and wheelchair accessible bathroom and elevator.
The new terminal also offers something that has long been missing from the George Town waterfront – more than a dozen restrooms each for men and women.
The completion of the Royal Watler Terminal has been long in coming and we have all felt the frustrations of the construction company and the port staff as the project was delayed because of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and a stormy hurricane season in 2005.
While a bank loan was made to build the terminal, the money should be recouped quickly as the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will give a dollar per passenger that comes here to pay back the loan.
The Port Authority will also get income from tenants that occupy the retail outlets and from renting the area for outdoor evening functions.
We’re glad to see the Royal Watler Terminal becoming a reality. It’s been a long time coming.
And it truly is a win-win situation for everyone.
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