Schooner Bay will transform from a construction site to a community in 2012 with an estimated $30 million spent on infrastructure, amenities and homes.
Major milestones this year for the South Abaco development include up to 30 homes completed, installation of infrastructure and the introduction of the project’s first businesses.
Construction is now booming with 12 homes at various stages of completion on the island and another four on the mainland.
Orjan Lindroth, the key developer behind Schooner, told Guardian Business an additional 16 are in the pipeline for the coming year.
“Schooner will become a village, on the way to becoming a town. The heavy civil work involving the harbor is done so it’s much easier to see it move from construction to community.”
Malcolm added that up to 20 boats should also be moored at Schooner or more by the end of 2012. A fuel dock should be installed this year and Schooner is now the only harbor within 20 miles in any direction.
Less glamorous but just as essential to the development is the installation of infrastructure now underway. Electricity, water, and sewerage represent a major capital investment, Malcolm explained, providing utilities for up to 140 lots. Costing in the range of $8 million to $10 million, contracts have already been awarded, he said.
Meanwhile, a complement of commerce is expected to follow the housing and infrastructure boom. Schooner has already started to host symposiums in an effort to identity worth candidates for its first “12 core businesses”. Blackfly, the elite bone fishing lodge, has begun construction at the mouth of the harbor, and is slated for completion in January of next year.
Lindroth noted there will be four different food and beverage outlets in place by the end of 2012, including Blackfly, a deli and a general food store.
