Major Improvements For 13 Public Beaches

Thirteen public beaches across seven parishes are to benefit from major improvements, says Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

These are Rocky Point, St. Thomas; Winnifred, Portland; Guts River, Manchester; Orchard and Watson Taylor, Hanover; Alligator Pond and Crane Road, St. Elizabeth; Rio Nuevo and Pagee, St. Mary; Salem and Priory, St. Ann; and Closed Harbour and Success in St. James.

Minister Bartlett made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 24.

Among the amenities to be put in place are changing rooms and restrooms, perimeter fencing, parking, gazebos, bandstands, children play areas, seating, lighting, walkways, electricity, water and sewage treatment facilities.

Minister Bartlett told the House that the $1.3-billion state-of the-art Closed Harbour Beach Park Development in St. James will be opened to the public by the end of the year.

“The project, primarily funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will see the conversion of the 16-acre property into a world-class recreational space with amenities that will allow it to operate as a free access, licensed public beach,” he said.