New Partner, Breathes New Life Into Cotton Bay, Eleuthera

Director General of Tourism, Vernice Walkine is shown images of what the completed Cotton Bay Clubhouse will look like.

Project Construction underway - no firm time-line for completion.

(Cotton Bay, South Eleuthera) Cotton Bay Estates, the luxury community development set on 2300 acres in South Eleuthera, continues to trek forward with the aid of an injection of funds from new partners who are now fully involved in the construction. The Eleutheran had the opportunity to tour the project, on Friday afternoon, August 13th, 2010, in the company of the Director General of Tourism, Vernice Walkine, who was in Eleuthera to launch the island’s new logo, which will be used to promote the island as a unique destination within the Bahamas and Caribbean region.

The Ministry of Tourism's New Logo for Eleuthera was revealed at Cape Eleuthera Resort by Vernice Walkine, Director General of Tourism (Center): Also featured to her left (L-R) are Jacquie Gibson, Manager (Acting) Eleuthera Tourism Office; Teri Sands, Training Eleuthera Tourism Office; to her right (L-R) are Stephen Kappeler, Manager Cape Eleuthera Resort; Glenda Johnson, Eleuthera Tourism Office.

Earlier on Friday morning, the Director General along with several special guests, including Thomas Sands, Director, Rock Sound Properties (1976) Limited and a primary Eleutheran investor, involved in the Cotton Bay project appeared on a special Eleuthera segment of the ‘Talking Tourism’ radio show broadcast live, with host Gary Guertin. 'Talking Tourism' is based on Florida’s Treasure Coast and held a special airing from the Cape Eleuthera Resort with Co-host Ed Griffith, general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach.

Round Table Panel on the ‘Talkin' Tourism’ radio show broadcast live, with host Gary Guertin (Yellow facing) and Co-host Ed Griffith, (Far left facing).Seated around the table are (Clockwise) Director General of Tourism, Vernice Walkine (In pink, back turned); Shaun Ingraham, Director Island Journeys (holding mic); Hon. Oswald Ingraham, M.P. South Eleuthera; Ed Griffith, Co-host; Thomas Sands, Director Rock Sound Properties (1976) Ltd and Cotton Bay Investor; Stephen Kappeler (standing), Manager Cape Eleuthera Resort; Gary Guertin, Host.

The tour of Cotton Bay followed Walkine’s appearance on the live radio program.  The project has had new life breathed into it with the new partners, GVG (Global Ventures Group). Christopher Burns, Project Manager with GVG , commented that the investors’ reason for choosing Cotton Bay, was because they saw so much potential in the land, and the location was beautiful.  “We’ve been all over the Caribbean… and the developer has certain requirements… this property has everything we look for and then some – the topography and elevation change – the way you can bring in single family home sites from the ocean, where each home has a view… the beach, beautiful beaches and also the proximity to the US”, said Burns. 

Christopher Burns of Global Ventures Group (left) and business partner in Cotton Bay, Thomas Sands (center) stands in front of the Clubhouse under construction during site tour at the Cotton Bay development.

He continued about the partner company, “We’ve stayed a small company, we’ve handpicked our projects and like to have personal relationships with land owners.”

According to investor Sands, the project is debt free – with funds from investors, not borrowed monies used to carry the project forward adding that The Eleuthera Properties Consortium, of Bahamian owners in the project continue to hold more than 50% interest.

The Eleutheran, had published 2 years ago that the project which started in 2007 had come to a near halt, with properties under construction being closed up with windows, doors and roofs to protect them from the elements but not being taken further owing to the state of the global economy. Managing Director, Wim Steenbakkers explained their reasoning at that time and remained very optimistic on the long term prospects.

Sands during our 2010 tour, highlighted that no time-line has been set for completion of the project, but that the intention is to keep moving forward, stating, “We are cognizant of the economy, so we are all waiting to see what happens, but continuing the program and continuing to move forward.” 

The Eleutheran had the opportunity to view some of the luxurious amenities now under varying stages of construction at the site, including; the Clubhouse which sports a Conference Center for 60+ persons and several well appointed room suites; the 5000 sq ft pool, to hold 150,000 gallons including a 12 foot diameter spa, as well as conventional and swim up bars; and the 17th hole of the Resort’s Golf course being designed by the Fazio Group with fabulous views of the ocean. Buildings under construction currently include 18 units, inclusive of the Club House with a combined capacity of 54 keyed rooms. 

Photo shows Clubhouse and 5,000 square foot pool at Cotton Bay with workers in the background.

Cotton Bay boasts to have taken great measures to minimize the environmental impact of the project, with low impact building plans, and low impact access paths to the beach coupled with all natural original vegetation preserved throughout and surrounding the project in association with the Audubon society. Sands described the efforts taken, saying, “We were very deliberate when the buildings were carved out to make sure they fit within a designated spot.  The trees were moved to a nursery, the soil was stockpiled, and the rocks were stockpiled to be used to accent the natural vegetation.”

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