The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour now plans to spend at least $1.5 million turning Brandywine Bay into a viable tourist option in order to draw foot traffic away from other popular sites. The original application submitted to planning authorities, however, estimated the project’s cost at $300,000. Photo: CONOR KING DEVITT

Development work at Brandywine Bay is continuing after months of delays and apparently mounting cost overruns, though it remains unclear when the project is scheduled to be complete.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour now plans to spend at least $1.5 million turning Brandywine Bay into a viable tourist option in order to draw foot traffic away from other popular sites. The original application submitted to planning authorities, however, estimated the project’s cost at $300,000. Photo: CONOR KING DEVITT
Planning documents indicate the development was initially projected to cost $300,000, but the 2017 budget states that $415,000 has already been spent on it, with at least $1.1 million earmarked for future work.

In his budget address in January, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said the development would be ready for the next tourist season.

The budget, however, appears to paint a different picture: Though $500,000 is earmarked for the project this year, the document provided forward estimates of $300,000 in both 2018 and 2019.

Meanwhile, dredging vessels continue to expand the beach. On Friday, pumped water could be seen forming a muddy fountain that sprayed into a blocked-off canal on the western corner of the bay.

Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering (R-D7), Natural Resources and Labour Permanent Secretary Ronald Smith-Berkeley, and government Communications Director Arliene Penn did not respond to requests for comment regarding the project, which has already been plagued by false starts and missed deadlines.

History

The ministry began work on the project in October 2015, but it was forced to halt shortly thereafter because it had not obtained required permission from the Town and Country Planning Department.

Early that December, TCPD Chief Planner Gregory Adams said the development had received permission, butwork on the project — which is designed in part to offer cruise ship passengers another attractive beach option — did not resume until land reclamation got under way early last July.

At the time, Mr. Smith-Berkeley said he hoped the development would be finished by last October.

In October, Ms. Penn provided the Beacon with an updated cost projection, saying the project was expected to cost at least $1.5 million.

The planning documents note the development is slated to include 35 parking spaces, eight vendor spaces and other tourist amenities.

Local architecture firm AR Potter and Associates Ltd. is managing the development.

Avaline Potter, the firm’s architect, said she did not know the timeline of the project.

“That’s being driven by the ministry,” she explained.

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