Font Hill Preserve sold to Spanish hotelier

[Ja. Jewel]

Seems as those this nature preserve is being sold to a Spanish hotelier, the same that owns the Lucea mega resort.

Font Hill is owned by the Petroleum Corp of JA and the public beach is a highly popular spot. We visited on Boxing Day one year and it ws so jammed packed with Jamaicans you could hardly fit another one in the water. Lots of picnicing, lounging around and all around fun, with picnic tables, bath house, restrooms, bar, food vendors and more.

The natural area is home to many indemic species of plant life. It will be tragic if this becomes a privately owned resort, both for Jamaicans who will have one less public beach to frequent, and to the environment.

MANDEVILLE, (JIS):
Monday, April 26, 2010

Minister of Mining and Energy, Hon. James Robertson, has announced that the Government will be divesting the Font Hill property in St. Elizabeth to facilitate development.

Minister Robertson spoke with JIS News while touring a section of the 3,000- acre property in Crawford, in the parish on Friday (April 23), accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, along with Member of Parliament for South East St. Elizabeth, Mr. Frank Witter.

In outlining the development possibilities that exist for Font Hill, which is owned by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Mr. Robertson said, "The Font Hill property is ideal for a high-end tourism and new town development, with beach front, golf courses, and air-strips. But the surrounding communities will have to be accommodated. Minister Tufton has been telling me of a sport complex, with a vision of a stadium for the community. The area sits on the edge of the Font Hill property, and the development of a sport complex would not affect the value of the property, so I am in support of it".

Meanwhile, Dr. Christopher Tufton said, "we are committed to working together to ensure that the property is developed, it will create jobs for the people of the area, and the recreation requirements. When the development takes place, there is going to be a greater demand for housing, and recreation. The anticipation in the medium term is, we will see this area more populated, in a way that creates value for the people".

Mr. Witter agreed, remarking that the divestment and development of the Font Hill property will add to, and create more opportunities for residents of St. Elizabeth. "For a very long time we have been trying to develop South coast tourism and the Minister's plan is in the right direction. Investment in tourism will bring greater opportunities for the people of the entire parish," Mr. Witter said.

[halfwaytree]

Re: Font Hill Preserve sold to Spanish hotelier

I see the JLP is continuing along the same path as the former government, sell off prime beachfront properties and environmentally fragile areas to foreigners who will take the profits offshore. Yes Jamaicans will get the menial jobs to clean for, cook for and serve the tourist. Hardly a fair trade off if you ask me.

It's amazing what becomes possible when money changes hands behind closed doors.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Font Hill Preserve sold to Spanish hotelier

You mean the property that was slated for the oil refinery, partially funded by the late president of Iraq is a nature preserve?

That is How it became the property of the Jamaica oil refinery.

Better it. become a resort than an oil refinery.

[Marilyn]

Re: Font Hill Preserve sold to Spanish hotelier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You mean the property that was slated for the oil refinery, partially funded by the late president of Iraq is a nature preserve?

That is How it became the property of the Jamaica oil refinery.

Better it. become a resort than an oil refinery.
</div></div>

It's gonna be BOTH....they will build the resort with an oil rig and give it a texas theme. Bring in horses, and all the Jamaican staff will wear cowboy and cowgirl outfits. IT will be wildly popular with the western american crowd and all Europeons who had cowboy fantasies. Friday night is Rodeo night.

[Marilyn]

Re: Font Hill Preserve sold to Spanish hotelier

.......and as you stated, the profit will go to SPAIn....western Spain that is