Construction delays, disputes over ownership and a filing of bankruptcy have not stopped the?Baha Mar Casino?and Hotel from finally opening its doors to the public. ?It has taken several years for the Baha Mar venue to come to fruition and on April 21st, the facility will finally be open for business in a limited capacity. Earlier this month, the officials of Baha Mar Casino reported that they had been given their?official gaming license and would be opening by the 21st.
The license was reportedly granted by the office of tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe at the beginning of April after a review was completed by the Gaming Board for?The Bahamas. In a statement by Wilchcombe, the application and report submitted were considered and recommended for approval of a gaming license as well as related certificates of suitability by the Gaming Board.
The integrated resort is now preparing for a soft opening which will take place on Friday. Currently, trainers from across the globe are on hand to work with teams at the venue to ensure the opening is a success. On Monday, the opening week began with a barbecue on the beach for employees of the project at the resort pools and beachfront area of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.
According to a report by the?Bahamas Weekly, Graeme Davis, the President of Baha Mar, said that this week is about celebrating the Baha Mar associates in anticipation of the first guests. Davis commented: “In two days Baha Mar will open its doors, thanks to the hard work and dedication from our associates.”
On Friday, the opening of the facility will include a preview of the Grand Hyatt hotel and the Baha Mar Casino as well as the Royal Blue Golf Club and the Arts & Convention Center. More than 12 restaurants will be open for business along with the beachfront of the hotel and resort pools.
The opening of the Baha Mar Casino comes after a delay due to CEO Sarkis Izmirlian deciding to stop construction of the project in early 2015 due to issues with the state-owned Chinese contractor working on the resort. The $4.2 billion project was later liquidated and sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises despite the wishes of Izmirlian.
The?sale of the project to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises?took place just a few months ago and the property is able to open so quickly due to the resort being nearly completed at the time of the acquisition.