November 2013
| Business World Magazine | 129
struction of two new cruise piers, arrival and
departure facilities and new parking spaces,
but more remarkably, will additionally in-
volve the reclaiming of some 15 acres of land
from the sea. Businesses will have more than
100,000 square-feet of opportunity in com-
mercial space.
“It’s a tremendous project with potential
to bring a different stamp of life and quality
to Barbados ... because of the reclaimed area,
passengers will have a much different view of
the island as they arrive, but residents will see
something much different as they look out
to the seascape too,” says Roach. Kevin Ma-
cintosh, the CEOof the Engineering Firm of
Baird & Associates reports that Sugar Point
will be a “world-class” facility, designed to
withstand impacts from weather events as
well as rising waters levels associated with
global climate change.
Preparations for the new terminal have
already begun with studies of the seabed,
but over the next year, there will be demoli-
tion of old infrastructure, continuous dredg-
ing and relocation of a coral reef among the
plans. Roach says that work will occur in
such a way as to minimize impact on current
operations at the Bridgetown Cruise Termi-
nal.
“We don’t think it will interfere with all
the work that goes on here ... there will be
noise from the dredging and driving piles,
and you can’t have development of this size
without some minor interruptions, but we
don’t think it will affect our visitors,” says
Roach.
Like many in Barbados, Roach is excited
about the opportunities that will be realized
by the new facility and its enhanced ability
to accommodate visitors from the largest of
manufactured ocean liners. As Roach says,
“This allows us to become another destina-
tion of itinerary, larger vessels means a larger
numbers of people coming to visit Barbados
... that’s good for everyone.”
