PRESS RELEASE – Sandals Resorts has asserted that ‘selfish actions’ have blocked the inflow of millions of dollars into the Saint Lucia economy, as the construction here of the resort’s newest property – Sandals La Source, came to a halt.
Work on the multi-million dollar new property at Pigeon Island, Gros Islet, ceased due to recent legal proceedings instituted by The Landings resort.
Among other things, the Landings has declared that the effect of ‘this large 10 storey plus development so close to The Landings could be devastating to our hotel product, our property and our operations, thereby jeopardizing investments and the jobs of nearly 200 individuals.’
Sandals Regional Project Manager, Mark Harding, told reporters that the potential for employment by the Sandals La Source would be about 1000 persons.
“We were hoping to have 1000 people on site now as we speak.Unfortunately that is not the case,” Harding lamented.
However in order to provide an idea of the contribution the estimated 1000 employees of the $US 210 million new Sandals La Source resort would make to the economy here, he asked reporters to imagine a $65 day wage at the lower end.
“Obviously the average wage would probably be higher, but let’s say $65 for discussion,” Harding said.
He explained that for one thousand employees, it would amount to $2 million being put into the economy every single month, not taking into account contributions from purchasing, transportation and other services.
“So a significant amount of money is not being put into the economy as we speak, because of what we consider to be selfish actions,” the Sandals official declared.
Sandals has made it clear that it respects the judicial process and the courts and will allow the matter involving the action by the Landings to run its course.
In the meantime, Harding revealed that Sandals has had to ramp down work on its new resort here and send home some 37 people.
“But we are ready and waiting to kick back into action as soon as we hope what is positive outcome of the legal action being taken,” he told reporters.