The rehabilitation will only include renovation of the West Wing of the facility.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA – The Ministry of Tourism & Entertainment and C and D Construction and Engineering Company Limited, signed an agreement for expenditure to the tune of just over fifty million dollars ($50M), for the rehabilitation of the West Wing of the Milk River Hotel & Spa in Clarendon. The agreement was signed by Paul Badresingh, Director, Corporate Services at the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd. (TPDCo), which will provide oversight for the project and Mr. Clive Wint, Managing Director of the firm which was awarded the contract after a public tender process. It was duly witnessed by Hon. Dr. Wkyeham McNeill, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment and Hon. Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government and Community Development.
The rehabilitation will only include renovation of the West Wing of the facility. The work includes demolition and alterations, upgrading of the electrical systems along with the associated wall, ceiling, floor finishes; painting and decorating. There will also be plumbing and mechanical installation and the replacement of leaking and damaged roof sheeting and frame.
According to Minister McNeill “this rehabilitation is the beginning of an exercise that will, in the medium term contribute to the strategic brand positioning of this historic national attraction with its unique mineral waters. It is expected to increase the revenue earning potential of Milk River Bath & Spa by enhancing its aesthetic appeal, expanding its range of services and increasing its marketability.”
The project is funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and is projected to begin on September 7 with a completion date set for December 7, 2015. Thirty (30) persons in the community are expected to benefit from employment opportunities that will be created from the impending works. The facility will remain open during the renovation process as three mineral baths will remain in operation.
Milk River Bath and Spa, which currently has twenty rooms, of which only thirteen (13) are operable, nine mineral baths and a mineral pool, is well known for its potential as a world class mineral spring spa. It has not however fully lived up to its potential due to its aging infrastructure, vulnerability to flooding, limited product/market differentiation, poor road conditions and other challenges which have hampered its viability. Presently the facility boasts other amenities to include a conference room; massage room; restaurant and dining room; cocktail bar; gift and snack counter.
Photo caption: The $50 million dollar agreement was signed by (from left) C&D Construction and Engineering Ltd’s Managing Director, Clive Wint; Director, Corporate Services, Tourism Product Development Company Ltd., Paul BadreSingh; Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Noel Arscott. The signing went seamlessly with the assistance of (standing, from left) Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Clyde Harrison and Chairman of the Milk River Hotel and Spa Dr. Guyan Arscott.
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