In January, the author wrote of major tourism, industrial and banking developments taking place on Grand Bahama in the new millennium. Since then, the island has seen major developments take place that has sparked a sense of excitement and anticipation among residents. The Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort led the way in the tourism industry with over $450 million invested in the world class resort. On the industrial front, one of the world’s largest trans-shipment container ports is steadily progressing. And the interests of increased financial services are making their way to Grand Bahama.

The Lucayan opened its doors in April 1999 when the first phase of its multi-million dollar resort opened, Reef Village. Since then, the area has been transformed and is now beginning to take on a new life as the remaining two phases – Breakers Cay and Lighthouse Pointe prepare for its first guests December 1st, 2000. The resort will feature 1,350 guest rooms of Caribbean influence, offering convenient amenities making it the home away from home. There will be over 14 restaurants and bars to choose from, a three-storey spa and fitness center and 40,000 square feet of meeting space. The resort area will once again have a casino which is expected to be completed in the spring of next year. Current resort attractions include Camp Lucaya children’s activity center and three distinctive restaurants.

Each tower has its own unique swimming pool – the Quarry Pool at Breakers Cay and the Infinity Pool at Lighthouse Pointe. A new links-style golf course, The Lucayan Reef, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. will certainly make its mark among the golfers along with the number one course in The Bahamas, The Lucayan Country Club course. The Reef course will be the home of “the Senior PGA Tours Lucayan Senior Slam” beginning December 2-3, 2000. The resort will host this spectacular annual event for the next three years. Top qualifiers expected to participate are Tom Kite, winner of the Countrywide Tradition and Doug Tewell, the PGA Seniors champion. Winners of the U.S. Senior Open and the Ford Senior Players Championship will round out the foursome.

The improvements in the hotel and tourism industries are not limited to The Lucayan alone. Just a few yards away from the resort, a Small Treasures property, Pelican Bay at Lucaya recently completed a $1.5 million hotel wing addition bringing the total number of guest rooms to 69. The unique architecture and pastel-coloured resort exudes an intimate feel. The hotel’s waterside restaurant, Ferry House, just completed renovations and offers international cuisine and a world-class chef. Reservations are recommended.

Next to Pelican Bay, another multi-million dollar renovation project is taking place at UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society. One of the premier dive operations in this region, UNEXSO offers the popular dolphin and shark dives in addition to other dives and educational programmes like the Learn to Dive programme. The organization has pumped over $2.5 million in the facility over an 18-month period. When completed late summer, the facility will have over 4,000 square feet of retail space, complete with men and women’s apparel, dedicated photo and video services and reservations check-in. The ground floor will be wheelchair accessible. In keeping in line with promoting marine education, classrooms/meeting rooms will be expanded and located on the second floor. A new air facilitator and compressor has also been installed along with an expanded pool incorporating a deep end with viewing windows.

Another pillar in the hotel industry to see a facelift is the Resort at Bahamia known for many years as the Bahamas Princess Resort and Casino. The property which includes 965 guest rooms, 100 timeshare units, two 18-hole championship golf courses and a state-of-the-art casino was purchased by Driftwood Freeport Limited in May.

The Tower at Bahamia will be known as the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza and the Country Club will be branded as the Holiday Inn Sunspree. The $42 million renovation process started this summer is targeted for completion in 2002. One of the highlights of the property will be a green park with walking trails, ponds, waterfalls and a free-form sand pool placed in the center of the two properties. A new retail shopping mall will connect the Tower and Casino and the Chichcharney Children’s Programme will be just for the kids. The Fazio Golf Design Group is redesigning the resort’s two championship golf courses.

Just a few yards from the Resort at Bahamia is Castaways Resort, another hotel that is undergoing extensive renovations. The 138-room moderate property will spend $2.75 million opening in December with 97 guestrooms and 21 suites. The property will open under the name Best Western.

Heading west, one of the region’s deepest harbours is also undergoing major redevelopments amounting to $10.9 million. The facility will include a new cruise passenger terminal which will be completed just in time for Disney Cruise Line when it made its inaugural voyage to the destination mid August. A landscaped retail village of 25,000 square feet will also enhance the area. Plans are progressing for the world’s most modern ship care facility capable of servicing the largest cruise ships. A contingent of Bahamians have been sent to Germany for special training.

Travelling further west past the Freeport Container Port project through the settlement of Eight Mile Rock another development is taking place at the sleepy village of West End, the first settlement to be established on Grand Bahama Island. Old Bahama Bay is a new $170 million gated resort community on the western tip of the island. The newly refurbished 75-slip modern marina, the first port-of-entry for Grand Bahama is a popular stop for boaters coming from the Florida coast (West End is only 55 miles from Palm Beach).

The quaint resort located on a white powdery beach lined with coconut trees will offer 47 beach house suites with all the services and amenities of a full service resort. On the residential front, Old Bahama Bay provides the security and facilities of a residential community with 73 home sites with views of the Atlantic Ocean and canals throughout the development. Sites include private dock facilities, a spa and exercise facility as well as outdoor activities like diving and snorkelling.

These developments have been financed by local commercial banks; companies in the financial services industry in particular, have been sprouting up in Grand Bahama. Oceanic Bank and Trust opened its doors to the Grand Bahama community earlier this year providing their clients with expert services for their fiduciary and offshore matters. Fidelity Bank & Trust another Nassau-based bank will be opening a branch in Grand Bahama come September providing clients with a range of financial products and professional advice.

Evidence of growth happening on the island is all around from the construction boom, the latest state-of-the-art movie theatre to open to the grand opening of McDonalds. The magic city is once again beginning to shine and it will do so for a long time to come.