Ambergris Today - July 3, 2003
World Class Resort Opening Soon
Last week Friday the managing team of the Blue Reef Island Resort invited Ambergris Today Newspaper along with distinguished members of the business community of San Pedro to the placement of their foundation cornerstone which marked the commencement of construction of the island’s newest resort in North Ambergris Caye.
Located about eight miles north of San Pedro Town, once completed, Blue Reef Island Resort will boast six, three story condominium buildings with up to four bedroom units when combined (36 units in all). The buildings’ grand Mediterranean style will focus on grandeur and detail and will be carried throughout the design from the adobe tile roofs, rough stucco walls, to the antique style of the balcony railing for each unit. Landscaping at Blue Reef Island Resort include items like:
* 8-foot doorways, limestone tile floors, 10-foot ceilings, and cabinetry utilizing mahogany and other native woods.
* Tropical landscapes lining the cascading pools as they fall through the courtyard gardens to the shoreline.
* Flowing pools from your doorstep to the sea.
Blue Reef Island Resort is under construction by Tropical Development and one of the primary goals of the resort’s management is to try and fit in with the local ecosystem and island culture of Ambergris Caye. The property will be filled with lush vegetation, water features, and replicas of ancient Mayan Relics. Mr. Thomas Forbes, consultant and partner of Blue Reef, mentioned that every legal and conscious step has been taken to protect the environment in which the resort is being constructed. In fact, when the land was being cleared, the large trees were not destroyed but transplanted to preserve the natural fauna of the area.
The Forbes family greeted their invited guests on the beach where a beautifully arranged buffet awaited them. After a brief introduction of the resort Mr. Thomas Forbes’ daughter, Kristine, and his two nieces, Rachael and Trisha, had the honors of placing a cornerstone on the foundation of the first building that would be erected on the site. Afterwards, Father Jim Blount engaged everybody in prayer and blessed the construction site.
Guest speaker, Mayor Elsa Paz gave her best wishes to Blue Reef Resort commenting that it would add to the charm of Ambergris Caye and assist in the development of the tourism industry in Belize.
The majority of the members who form part of the management team of the company are Belizeans or are foreign citizens who have been visiting Belize for many years. Among them are:
Ramon Nuñez, one of the major principals and a native of San Pedro, has a long background in the leisure industry and has seen the area flourish during his time on the island. Mr. Nuñez brings his wealth of experience of successful business to Blue Reef and also adds his knowledge of the area and its people.
Misael Flores, another major principal will act as Executive Director and Development Manager. He has a strong background in both attracting offshore investment into Belize and extensive management of resort facilities. He provides the operational knowledge for resort operations.
Jamie Forbes, a resort developer and partner, possesses extensive experience in real estate and development of beachfront resort communities.
Matt Olsen, a long time marketing director, has a wealth of experience in real estate.
Walter Milgroom, a marketing consultant, also has a long background in the real estate and leisure industry.
Thomas Forbes, a consultant and partner, has a background of 26 years in the travel and tourism industry. Mr. Forbes has a strong knowledge of the American tourist and what experience they desire on a visit to a place as beautiful as the Cayes of Belize.
Rupert Gabb, an architect and general contractor trained in the United States heads up the construction of Blue Reef Island Resort.
During construction, the resort will have approximately a 25 full time local staff. For normal operations they plan to have about 30 employees in phase I and another 50 after the construction of their second resort on Cayo Frances is complete. Cayo Frances lies just west, behind Blue Reef in the Laguna de Cayo Frances (a panoramic two mile wide lagoon). When completed, Blue Reef Island Resort will be a world class destination with all the amenities and services of a top resort. For more information you can visit their website at www.bluereefresort.com.