Cassada Bay is a beautiful old but now- empty, hotel
located on the outskirts of the village of Belmont on the island
of Carriacou.
It appears to to be the perfect
retreat location to be renovated and utilised as a base of
operations for United Caribbean Trust. Cassada Bay would provide
serene and adequate accommodation for relief workers, councillors
and, once renovated, any local or Grenadian professional administration
staff member that requires a safe retreat with professional
back up. The tranquil, peace- filled setting could also house
any teachers who may accompany displaced students who are
projected to relocate from Grenada, to continue schooling
that has been interrupted by the storm.
Cassada Bay has been empty for some years now
but the hotel could very easily be upgraded with a moderate
injection of capital.
The entrance foyer and office area have
been significantly damaged by wind and water.
The ceiling is damaged and water has pooled
on the floor of the reception area.
The lovely entrance to the open plan lounge/bar
and dining area is clean and debris free, the obvious care
of Mr. Jansen, and the wall murals of sea creatures can be
upgraded with minimum inputs. There is a healthy land turtle
population.
The lounge in need of some minor renovations,
such as replacement of termite eaten balcony rails and lounge
and recreational furniture.
The stunning views over White Island and distant
Grenada from the open air deck are breathtaking; the balcony
area can be railed for safety to accommodate children's activities.
The dining area overlooks the hills and distant mangrove of
the protected bay.
There has been window damage following Ivan
but this can be repaired with minimum outlay. The floor area
can be crazy-tiled economically.
The kitchen area is well equipped but could
do with improvement.
There is adequate storage space for food, provisions
and relief supplies.
Despite some damage to the roof of the storage
area, the linen room is a perfect store for the 'baby survival
kits' and other non-food aid supplies, and these can be sorted
and allocated efficiently, for Carriacou, Gouyave and Soubise.
Transport is being sought to transfer provisions
from the Customs Storage in Hillsborough to the secure base
at Cassada Bay.
The accommodation
in Cassada Bay is a collection of semi-detached one bedroom
chalets overlooking White Island, Saline and Grenada in the
distance.
Located on eight acres of beautiful grounds,
damaged fencing needs replacement to keep the cows out.
Some careful replanting could restore the
lovely tropical garden, with a minimum outlay.
The jetty has been destroyed and is in need
of reconstruction, but has basic capability as a functional
boat landing. As this base will continue to distribute relief
supplies to coastal villages in Grenada, the facility of the
jetty needs immediate attention.
Fallen and uprooted trees clutter the volcanic
beach since the storm. Much clearing, burning and reconstruction
will be essential to discourage vermin and debris collection
and gradually this area will return to its former beauty.
There is a tremendous opportunity here to create
not only a safe, peaceful base for the United Caribbean concept
but also a great retreat for professionals traumatised by Ivan;
those still having to shoulder the responsibility for the health
and education sectors within the Grenadian community. Cassada Bay
is also an ideal place for a children's weekend activity area, with
netball, basketball, snorkelling, kayaking and sailing, hiking and
other educational rehabilitation projects taking precedence at this
time.. <
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Cassada Bay offer both
individuals and groups the possibility of coming to Carriacou and
staying in a 'working holiday village' FREE OF COST in
exchange for 'work in the village', bringing Hands of Help into
the community, the nursing homes, the church building project.
United Caribbean Trust
base headquarters could be used as ‘Christian
Timeshare Holiday Resorts’ outside of the hurricane season
(thus fund the trust) and accommodation for relief workers during
the hurricane season if needed. If not needed they could be opened
to local schools, youth groups and Caribbean churches from July
to October.
