St George’s MP Nandi Outerbridge hailed the recent announcement that a new hotel and casino could be erected in the east end as an example of Government’s commitment to the area.

Government announced last week that it had signed an exclusive 120-day negotiation period with the Venezuela-based Desarrollos Hotelco Group for the former Club Med site.

According to Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell, the developer, which has previously developed resorts in Venezuela and Aruba, has proposed a 238-room hotel with a casino, renovated golf course, 16 hotel residences, 24 golf villas and 16 estate residences.

Speaking yesterday, Mrs Outerbridge said: “This project is highest priority for the Government, with the objective to break ground as soon as possible. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the developer, Desarrollos, has a great track record building luxury resorts and working with the world’s top hotel companies, such as Ritz-Carlton.

“The people of the east end have experienced a lot of disappointment and frustration with previous governments over-promising and not delivering. My colleagues and I are going to put an end to that, and this hotel project is central to that commitment.

“It’s about jobs and career opportunities, new business for existing businesses. It’s about new life for St George’s. As MP for the people of St George’s West, that’s what I’m working for.”

The Club Med Resort shut its doors in 1988 and was demolished 20 years later. US businessman Carl Bazarian was signed up to develop a Park Hyatt resort on the site, but the development agreement was later scrapped because of contract breaches.

Government last year repealed the Act of Parliament which had granted the developer a lease on the site, and put out a new RFP for the property in January.