By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Service

WINDERMERE ISLAND, Eleuthera---The Windermere Island Club, where England’s Royal family once vacationed, is about to be expanded and restored to its glory days, but with access to modern technology.

Sitting on 165 acres of land, the new development will comprise 52 family compounds with ocean view and 31 cottage homes. The famous Windermere Island Hotel, established in the 1950s, will be transformed into a boutique, inn and spa.

The development company, Windermere Island North Development, Ltd, said it selected the island for its privacy and serenity. The company pledged to "go light" on the land, preserving natural landscape and open spaces.

On Saturday, September 9, members of the Board of Directors of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette, toured the redevelopment area on the seven-mile long private island.

It was just one of the many areas toured by the Hotel Corporation Board members, who conducted a fact-finding mission on Andros and Eleuthera to view properties in which developers have expressed an interest.

Managing Director of the Hotel Corporation Sir Baltron Bethel said that the corporation acquired the vast amount of land years ago and has held onto them for the purposes of development.

Sir Baltron said that any developer would have to meet the "strictest standards" of the Bahamas Environment Science Technology (BEST) Commission to ensure protection and preservation of the environment.

The multi-million dollar project will also consists of recreational activities such as bone fishing, water sports, golf course, and a spa, among other amenities. The houses are designed to withstand 180 miles per hour winds.

Carry Rich at Windermere pointed out that another restriction is no building above the native canopy.

An important element in the redevelopment process is the preservation of the island’s natural flora and fauna, vegetation and beaches.

The company uprooted over 3,000 casuarinas trees, which is very damaging to the shoreline because it can grow in salt water. The species sucks water out of the surrounding areas and kills native succulent, which protects the beach.

There was tremendous amount of beach erosion after Hurricane Floyd in October 1999, and most of the casuarinas fell into the water. The developers said after they removed the fallen trees, the beach restored itself over the past eight years.

The wood is being used as coal for barbeques and retention around the construction site at Windermere. Samples of the wood were sent to the University of Florida in Tallahassee, which reported that the wood is unstable for commercial use because it splits easily.

The developers have been able to salvage most of the straight logs to build propagation and nursery sheds. Also, thatch palms were removed from the road, kept into a nursery and transplanted around the property for a beautiful effect.

About 55 Eleutherans are employed at the construction site. Four are headed to a seminar on pool construction in Boston next month.

"We have some of the best craftsmen in The Bahamas right here," Mr. Rich said.

He added that another five men have been trained in electric vehicle mechanics, 12 have underwent training in CPR. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette and members of the Board of Directors of the Hotel Corporation inspect the tiling of a model home under construction at the Windermere Island Club on Friday, September 7. Standing at right is Carry Rich of Windermere. (Photo by/Tim Aylen)

September 12, 2007