Celebration Jamaica Development Ltd. announced today it anticipates the final vetting process for the granting of a Development Order, as prescribed by Section 9 of The Casino Gaming Act, Casino Gaming Regulations 2012 by the Ministry of Finance and Planning, could be as early as this summer. The Development Order will facilitate the construction of Celebration Jamaica Hotel & Resort in Montego Bay, an integrated development incorporating a “Las Vegas Style” Casino Entertainment Complex. The project proposal includes a request for an exclusive Casino license for the parish of St. James to be granted to Celebration Jamaica Development Ltd. Says Robert T. Trotta, Founder of Celebration Jamaica; “We have secured three locations for this Integrated Resort Master Development and are ready to begin construction at any of these locations.”
Conceptualized around the theme “Caribbean World Music”, Celebration Jamaica Hotel & Resort is positioned as a 365 day entertainment attraction for both tourists and locals. In addition to the Hotel, the first phase encompasses an Entertainment Complex with a multitude of facilities to include a full-service Casino with table gaming and slot machines.
Facilities and Investment
The Integrated Resort Development consist of several main buildings, and structures containing:
• 1,000 hotel rooms (Phase 1) with future expansion of 1,000 hotel rooms (Phase 2) – totaling 2,000 rooms
• A state of the art Entertainment Complex with 75,000 square foot Casino & Sports Book
• Hotel with spectacular lobby lounge overlooking the Caribbean Sea
• Bars, Restaurants, Health Club, Spa and Kid’s Club
• Retail space
The development will also include :
• A shopping center complete with its own “Restaurant’s Row”
• Secluded beaches
• An artisan village
• A Caribbean World Music Entertainment Complex
• Other premier features potentially including a marina and water complex.
With partners secured, the group is ready to begin construction of the initial 1,000 hotel rooms (out of a total 2,000 rooms), which form part of the first development phase, the moment the order is granted. The estimated development cost of US$450 million for the first phase will provide more than 2,000 jobs for local Jamaicans and millions of dollars in tax revenue for the Government of Jamaica.
Celebration Jamaica’s Advisory Board is currently appraising proposals for the final selection of Casino Operator. States Trotta; “Out of a full set of international highly reputable casino operators, we have several excellent options.” Celebration Jamaica’s Board of Directors & Advisors comprises 10 local and international world class experts in the areas of gaming, finance, law, hotel management and operations. Says Trotta; “I am delighted to include the following resourceful and knowledgeable persons as advisors of Celebration Jamaica to drive the project towards early success.”
• Mr. Dennis Mills, (Committee Chairman) Canadian Businessman
• The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, (Senior International Counsel)
• Mr. Edward McMullen Sr. (Counsel) Tourism, Hospitality and Gaming Industry Expert
• Mr. Michael McMorris (Counsel) Hotel Finance and Operations Expert
Mr. Mills, Mr. McMullen and Mr. McMorris are also proposed Directors of the company. A project CEO will be appointed shortly. Celebration Jamaica is confident that the construction contracts for the project which the Project Managers have been evaluating for quite some time can be finalized the moment the Development Order is received. Says the Celebration Jamaica Founder; “One of the two construction companies has already submitted a bid covering the majority of the construction cost. Financing will be provided by a non-Jamaican financial institution. At the moment we must keep the identity of our partners confidential, but are pleased with their bids which will enable us to move forward swiftly.”
Celebration Jamaica hopes that its request for a temporary casino license during the construction process will be approved, providing Celebration Jamaica to operate a temporary casino for training purposes. This will bring Jamaica up to world class standards in sustainable gaming operations, while providing immediate training and jobs for Jamaicans.
