October 03, 2003
No Casino For Emerald Bay
The casino operation planned for Exuma's new Four Seasons Emerald Bay resort has been put on hold indefinitely, following a management decision to utilise the facility's floor space to store furniture and equipment being brought in for the November 1 opening of the $275 million hotel, the Tribune reports.
Kevin Clemente, president and chief executive for the resort's developers, yesterday, said that although space had been earmarked from the conception of the property for a casino, there was never any intention to open the facility at the same time as the hotel. It had always been the plan that it would instead be brought on stream after the resort was operational.
The delayed opening strategy had never been mentioned in the press before and it is not known if the people who have bookings at the hotel for the upcoming holiday season were aware that there would be no casino. The resort claims to be booked heavily until April, 2004.
Industry insiders have indicated that the resort is having trouble finding an operational partner for its casino, with some feeling the 219 room resort would be unable to generate enough business for a profitable operation. The original plans called for a 6,000 sq ft casino.
Posted by admin at October 3, 2003 10:52 PM