Eleuthera's "Charming Resort", Cocodimama, To Reopen By Year's End Says CEO

Cocodimama Resort - photo updated June 2009

Cocodimama Resort will be re-opened in December 2008, according to Mr. Donald Urgo, President & CEO of Urgo Hotels. The Eleutheran had a very informative conversation with Mr. Urgo, who graciously took some time out of his schedule to fulfill our request to provide our readers with an update on the the status of Urgo Hotels and of the "Charming Resort" - Cocodimama on Alabaster Bay (Receiver's Beach).

During March 2008, we reported on a  town meeting at Worker's House in Governor's Harbour where Urgo Hotels announced plans to develop a 500 acre spread of property consisting of low rise developments, maintaining Bahamian style and culture with heavy emphasis on golf courses throughout the resort. The development is to include a marina, retail village (to be operated by locals), three leading international hotel groups, international spa and a boutique casino.

The proposed location of the resort is directly south of the Governor's Harbour airport - to include the Cocodimama Resort and surrounding area, as well as the site of the old Navy base. Investment size is purported to be approximately 1.2 billion dollars with 1000 jobs to be provided during the construction phase and 1000 permanent jobs upon completion. Pending approvals, infrastructural work, which includes a power plant, water filtration plant, roads and a sewerage plant, is set to start within one year and vertical construction to begin in 18 months. The project is expected to be built in phases over a timeline spanning 8 years.

In regards to Cocodimama Hotel, Mr. Urgo was excited to let us know that the property is being renovated and refurbished, with sights set on a re-opening during the first two weeks of December 2008.

In reference to the overall project, the Chief Executive said Urgo Hotels look forward to submitting application for the environmental process within 90 days. He does anticipate that the environmental approval process could push their start of the infrastructure stage back about 6 months, but says that they are still quite optimistic as developers in the face of the current economic atmosphere.