By his own admission, Peter de Savary is driven to succeed by the early death of his father and the deep seated belief that he, too, is only on earth for a short time.
Wherever he goes, whatever he does he is the embodiment of the “Big Idea.” There is nothing puny, parochial or parsimonious about this man. When he talks money, he talks mega-millions and usually with a sonic boom.
Hence, the Abaco project he wants to build right next to Cherokee Sound is not a tuppenny-ha penny chalet park but a $140 million residential and recreational complex for the super rich, complete witha magnificent golf course and $1 million building lots.
While more level-headed Abaconians have difficulty with the $140 million – “How can it possibly cost that much, it doesn’t add up,” said one – the rest are happy to accept what they can get by way of investment on their island because risk-takers of Mr. de Savary’s magnitude are not in plentiful supply these days.
Mr. de Savary is hoping to bring his Midas touch to Abaco. According to one islander he is on record as saying this project is simply “for the love of it” because he cherishes the area so much. Whatever his motives, there is little doubt his scheme will pump money into a place that badly needs it, and give work to a community still largely dependent on fishing.
Source: Insight, The Tribune
