Bahamas News

The new 30-year agreement between Foxwoods, North America’s largest casino operator, and Royal Oasis owners Harcourt Development could mean a complete renovation of the former resort before it reopens, hopefully in a couple of years.

Foxwoods, the company owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut, has been tapped to manage the resort, marks a welcome addition to Grand Bahama business community, according to Tourism Minister Neko Grant, who congratulated Harcourt on inking the deal with the Foxwood Development Company.

“We are confident that Foxwoods’ reputation as high quality resort, casino, entertainment and retail operators will be a strong compliment to the re-launching of Grand Bahama Island as a major Bahamas destination,” the minister said.

A Harcourt press release asserts that both Harcourt and Foxwood are eager to begin work, with plans already afoot.

“Once the property is expanded and renovated, the resort will be home to more than 650 hotel rooms and suites, a casino, convention/meeting facilities, spa, fitness center, restaurants, retail shops, recreation facilities and a host of other amenities,” the release said.

“The two on-site golf courses will be restored to their former glory.”

The Royal Oasis Resort has been closed since it was damaged in Hurricane Frances in 2004. More than 1,000 Bahamians lost their jobs.

Chairman of Foxwoods Development Company Board of Managers Joseph Colebut said the group is pleased to partner with Harcourt Developments on what he called “such an exciting project to restore the former Royal Oasis property to a premiere destination resort.”

“In the gaming resort world, the name Foxwoods is synonymous with quality and innovation. We look forward to bringing this same level of excellence to the project and Grand Bahama Island,” Mr. Colebut said.

With regards to Foxwoods, according to Harcourt founding director Mike Murphy, “We have hit the jackpot.”

Speaking at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook on Thursday, he said Foxwoods is a legend in the gaming industry.

“They’ve got the largest casino resorts in the Unites States. They are now going to be our partners. They’re a good bunch. We were simply amazed at the scale of what they do. We have never seen anything like it. The traffic going through it numbers approximately 40,000 people per day. Isn’t that something else?”

Mr. Murphy was referring to the six million square-foot Foxwoods Resort Casino, which boasts three hotels, extensive entertainment venues, top-flight restaurants and retail stores.

In the Harcourt press release, Harcourt Director of Development Pat Power touted Foxwood’s experience and expertise in the leisure industry.

“We look forward to our working relationship with Foxwood for many years to come and their involvement in the project is a testament to the future of Grand Bahama,” Mr. Power said.

Foxwood’s parent organization, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, has formed a business partnership with MGM Mirage – the international gaming giant – and in the spring will open the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in the Connecticut countryside.

When the new MGM Grand is opened in late May, Foxwood will have grown to more than eight million square feet in size.

The Royal Oasis represents a major expansion of Harcourt’s interests in Grand Bahama. The company also owns multiple sites in Bahamia, and is the estate manager for the entire area.

According to the release, the redevelopment of the resort reflects Harcourt’s commitment to the island.

Source: Bahama Journal