Posted by: travadmin on Jan 22, 2004 – 12:26 AM
business The Bahamas Film Studios, a state-of-the-art film studio and entertainment complex, is well into its development on Grand Bahama.
“The studio will bring exciting opportunities to the Bahamas and will create a domino-like effect for numerous spin-off businesses,” say the project’s creators.
“This economic upswing will provide the potential for exposure and marketing opportunities for the Bahamas to the travelling public, thereby branding the Bahamas as a tourism destination and an idyllic film location; increased local production spending for goods and services, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars over time; increased quality employement for Bahamians in the production, tourism and hospitality sectors; intensive training for Bahamians in the industries; and wider market opportunities for locally made arts and crafts.”
This film production complex and tourism destination forms parts of the operations of Gold Rock Creek Enterprises Ltd., and Ashby Company. The initial site clean-up of the decommissioned US Air Force Missile base is almost complete and preparations are underway for the environmental analysis of the site. Many Bahamians are already employed by Gold Rock Creek Enterprises and most of the heavy equipment in Grand Bahama’s east end is on site, preparing for the next phase – the renovation of existing buildings and construction of the new facility.
The Ministry of Tourism and The Bahamas Film Commission consider this project a major coup, as it will not only assist in the establishment of a bona fide film industry that encompasses cutting edge technology but it will improve the state of the local film industry. This project will provide employement, new skill development, increased film production and overall international exposure.
The $76 million investment was approved in 2001, and in 2003 Prime Minister Christie, with financial services minister Allyson Gibson-Maynard formally announced the project. At that time an agreement for the construction of the film production facility and entertainment complex was signed. representing Gold Rock Creek Enterprises at the signing were Hans J. Schutte, Chairman and CEO; Paul Quigley, Chief Operating Officer; and Michael Collyer, Director.
Source: The Tribune