A Horse Works Out At Beaumont Park
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 05, 2009 (SKNIS):
The racing industry is about to burst through the gates in St. Kitts, and Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas is excited about the benefits this will offer the population.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister was joined by Minister of Works, Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin and Chief Secretary, Joseph Edmeade, on a tour of Beaumont Park. The multi million dollar investment at Dieppe Bay will feature horse and greyhound racing along with other attractions including a bird park and a butterfly park.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader told SKNIS that this project greatly complements the destination’s high end tourism strategy and he was more than satisfied with the state of construction. He added that this is a clear sign of success to the ongoing transformation of the economy and the opportunities to come.
“I’m very impressed. “¦ This is not just building a horse track. It is not just bringing horses here. You are talking about all of the activities, economic, social [and] other activities associated with building something you never had before,” stressed Prime Minister Douglas.
“That is why I feel so excited about the future here in St. Kitts and Nevis because clearly our Government has been working exceptionally hard to meet the challenges of our future.”
Beaumont Park is one of the initial projects that came out of the White Gate Development. White Gate stretches from Newton Ground to Belle Vue and is identified by Government as a prime location for economic growth and development.
Another major investment project taking place within that area is Kittitian Hill, which includes guest cottages and villas, an Ian Woosnam-designed eighteen hole championship golf course and, spa along with dining and entertainment options including bars, restaurants and duty free shops.
The Prime Minister added that the numerous investment projects in St. Kitts and Nevis have served to cushion the impact of the global financial and economic meltdown.
“Over 200 people are employed right now (at Beaumont Park) just on the construction phase. [With] those who are attending the horses … you have another 120 people employed in that activity alone,” he revealed. “And so in this little place, unfinished, you have over three hundred people gainfully employed and so the concept of the White Gate Development is in fact working.”
Construction at Beaumont Park began in 2004. There are currently 70 horses being housed and worked out by jockeys from various countries including Nevis, Barbados, Guyana and Ireland. General Manager, Richard Cummings told SKNIS that a soft opening has been scheduled for the end of the year.