A proposed multimillion-dollar upgrade to a café and bar at Horseshoe Bay still remains to be submitted to the Department of Planning — three years after the company behind the project was granted a concession to run the facility.

In November 2020, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said that Horseshoe Bay Live would take over the running of the popular beach early in 2021, on a five-year contract.

HBL beat off bids from 15 other companies, and pledged to pump $3.8 million into the facility.

That work was expected to begin in the autumn of 2021 and be completed in time for the start of the 2022 tourism season.

However, an initial plan was rejected by the Development Applications Board in November 2021.

According to Colonel Burch, HBL representatives met planning officials last week to discuss a fresh proposal.

The minister added that any construction work would most likely not start until the autumn, after the end of this year’s high season.

He also said that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused delays in progress — a claim made last year by HBL owner Delton Ebbin.

Colonel Burch said: “Everyone the world over was impacted by Covid-19, and so has Horseshoe Bay Live. They have been working on plans for a major renovation and met this week with all the stakeholders from estates, parks, planning and me to present their proposal.

“It's a lengthy process, and we will continue to work with HBL as we would with any leaseholder of government property. As this is a tourist site, any works are likely to be carried out during the off-season.”

He added: “I’m not prepared to speak to the proposal until it is approved internally and then submitted to the Department of Planning, at which time it will be in the public domain.”

The Royal Gazette asked Colonel Burch if HBL’s lease on the property, which is set to expire on March 31, 2026, would be extended.

He replied: “All of your subsequent questions are premature.

“Until a decision is made on the renovations, including their composition and cost, there can be no discussion about an extension of the lease.”