Coe Wood boat ramp revisited

A boat ramp that has been long promised by political parties in Bodden Town is once again getting support. 

Members of the Legislative Assembly from Bodden Town put shovel handle to hand Tuesday and once again broke ground on the project by turning shovels full of sand at Coe Wood Public Beach. 

The ramp is slated to cost $180,000 for the first phase, which includes a concrete boat ramp, parking and sidewalk facilities. 

The work, being carried out by C&R Builders and Renovations, and should be completed by May. 

But the project has not found total favour with area fishermen.  

Olson Levy, who has been fishing the area for more than 40 years, said the channel should be dug and properly marked before the ramp is built.  

“They are putting the cart before the horse,” Mr. Levy said. 

At the groundbreaking it was mentioned that a number of sea flats such as Ms Lorna’s flat, Mostyn’s flat, Island Channel. Gun Square flat, Freddie Watler flat and Loxley Flat could be used by fisherman to get outside the reefs. But Mr. Levy said all those flats are a danger to fishermen and there are no proper channels in Bodden Town. 

Boat ramp Project Manager Niasha Ross said the channel would not be altered in this phase.  

“There are a couple of sand spots, which will be excavated from the area so boats will be able to launch better, but presently we are not doing anything with the actually channel itself,” she said. 

Ms Ross agrees with fishermen that to launch in that area is dangerous and proper signs and marking needs to be placed but there isn’t enough money.  

Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor Connolly said Bodden Town MLAs are passionate about the project. She said the first phase of the scheme is modest, but it will allow safe, reliable and sound access to the sea and back on to the shore without taking away from the whole ambience of the public beach. 

Coe Wood development plan recap 

Coe Wood Public Beach was first earmarked for redevelopment as part of the Go-East initiative put in place by the previous People’s Progressive Movement spearheaded by Mr. Charles Clifford. 

Heavy equipment and workmen went onto the beach during the last two weeks before the 2009 election to dredge a part of the foreshore to make way for the boat ramp.  

It was then sent back to the drawing board after new MLAs took office.  

At that time, Cabinet Minister and new Bodden Town MLA Mark Scotland said the project was on hold while the new government evaluated project plans, funding arrangements, community expectations and environment implications.  

He said it was his aim to see the completion of the project in the near future. 

Marine officer Hugh Bush said having a channel in the Bodden Town area would be an added plus for Marine officers patrolling the area.  

He said the facility would allow officers a place to launch a police boat in South Sound in order to rescue someone in Bodden Town. 

Conceptual plans for the development and expansion of facilities at Bodden Town Coe Wood Beach have always been welcomed by community residents. 

Development expansion of the beach at the time consisted of a new marine channel, boating facilities, cabanas, market stalls, food kiosks, parking facilities; wheel chair ramps; bathrooms; lamps; benches, children’s and cultural areas with Bodden Town themes and etching, a story telling arena, and loads of Cayman flora and fauna.