Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) has announced that it will begin its upland development project by April 2022. The dynamic enterprise will commit over $25 million USD to the creation of an ultramodern waterfront day club featuring several pools, a state-of-the-art casino, local food-and-beverage outlets, and approximately 70 to 100 retail spaces for local entrepreneurs. This exciting new attraction will be accessible by cruise passengers, other visitors, and locals and residents of all ages. The redevelopment will also include upgrades to the Heritage Quay shopping centre.
“The day club will add a signature experience to the downtown core and serve as a creative center for locals and passengers to connect in a way that takes the passenger experience to new heights,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port. “Being able to connect with entrepreneurs and artists in the new retail spaces will educate visitors about Antigua & Barbuda’s culture and inspire them to return. These kinds of personal connections, coupled with local food and beverages, our incredible weather, and commitment to guest service, will make this feature an irresistible stop for passengers who want to experience something a little more unique when booking a cruise vacation.”
“Meanwhile,” she continued, “Heritage Quay needs repairs and upgrades, and its improvement is a matter of urgency for our team and for the Government. There are long-standing drainage and lighting issues that need to be addressed, and substantial repairs need to be made to pavements, stairs, and other areas. These upgrades will begin before the end of this year. We also believe that there is room to beautify the area with additional landscaping and other enhancements, so we will work with local companies to make the port a much more attractive representation of Antigua & Barbuda.”
The Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism & Investment, celebrated the significance and extensive community benefits of the project. “The Heritage Quay upgrades have been a longstanding concern for our administration, so we are pleased that GPH Antigua is undertaking these works as promised. We are also very excited about the construction of the $25 million day club, which will bring significant opportunity to the country by creating hundreds of jobs and long-term business opportunities for Antiguans & Barbudans.”
The state-of-the-art day club project will include the implementation of solar panels to supplement power to the development. The government will also upgrade Newgate Street and the surrounding lanes to support these improvements. Construction of the day club will begin in June 2022 and is scheduled to be completed by July 2023.
Minister Fernandez continued, “We’ve emphasized to the GPH Antigua team that there is no time to waste in delivering these benefits to the people of Antigua & Barbuda, and they have heard the call. The Government of Antigua & Barbuda is excited about this partnership with GPH Antigua and the future of Antigua Cruise Port. We believe that this will be the beginning of a new renaissance of increased tourism and economic improvement in the country for this generation and beyond. This will be a phenomenal investment in our future.”
Mrs. Regis-Prosper confirmed that “Before the expansion begins, we will host consultative meetings with stakeholders who are directly impacted by the project to ensure that this development positively impacts our community.”
