| Massive Conference Centre Coming Anguillian hotel developer, Quincy Gumbs, waved his hand towards his sprawling tourism project and said in a voice filled with confidence: “I am trying and someday I will reach there.” |
| He was speaking as skilled steel workmen from Trinidad laid galvanize sheets on the last section of roofing for the 57,000 square-foot conference centre which will also accommodate a number of other services. This main facility is the showpiece of the project and links in with the current two sets of accommodation sections which together provide 80 completed luxury rooms. The major concentration of work is now the pool, the completion of the main building and the spa together with various recreational facilities. After that, the project will open and will later be expanded to have a total of some 220 rooms and support services. “Yes, I would like you to tell the Anguillian public I am getting there and in some respects I am almost there,” Mr. Gumbs told The Anguillian. “This conference building has been our major challenge. We have been kept back for three years waiting for the steel structure… but over the past 12 months we have constructed the largest ever building ever attempted in Anguilla,” he said. “It is one of the most beautiful buildings you have ever laid your eyes on and we have to complete it as a state-of-the-art facility.” The hard-working local business developer stated. There are two halls each with a sitting capacity for 600 people, thus allowing for two major conferences to be held at the same time. There are eight break-out sections, several board rooms, other meeting rooms, two restaurants one of which will support the conference facility. There is a laundry, thousands of square-feet of storage space, a staff lounge, a large office section along with several shops. The top floors of the building are accessible by flights of steps and elevators. Asked about the size of the current investment in monetary terms, Mr. Gumbs said that so far he had invested about twenty million US dollars. Millions more will be needed to finish the project. Quizzed about his major financier, Mr. Gumbs, known for his Christian faith, replied: “I am most willing to say it: the Lord God of Heaven.” So assertive and spontaneous was his response that it defied further questioning. One thing surprises Mr. Gumbs. “It amazes me that we have erected this huge building and the largest section of our population thinks that we have closed down. I do not know where this impression came from,” he observed. “If I can quote the Minister of Finance, who visited the project recently, ‘Anguilla doesn’t know this building is here. If it makes my people more convinced or happier, I am willing, to see more of them come over here and let me take them on a tour of what we are doing. But we are moving forward and within sight of an opening day.” “We have had several offers for buy-outs. I want to make it clear: Royale Caribbean is not for sale. Royale Caribbean is intended as a beacon for this country and a beacon of hope for the next generation; what we as a people can aspire and achieve that we desire. Regardless of the hardships, this project is not for sale.” The top floors and other portions of the project provide a panoramic view of various parts of Anguilla and its seacoasts as well as the mountain ranges, foothills and costal areas of St. Martin/St. Maarten. The project is set in an exquisite and quiet location, nestled amidst some of the most exotic gardens on the island. Its completion and operations will be an asset to Anguilla’s up-market tourism industry and a plus to local ownership on the island. |
 View of Royale Caribbean Resort under construction |
