CDA chairman at boardwalk opening: Chaguaramas will become business hub

Chaguaramas is set to become not only a business hub but also a trustee for cultural heritage said chairman of the Chaguaramas Development Authority Daniel Solomon. He made the announcement at the opening of the Chaguaramas Boardwalk. The boardwalk, which was part of a three-phase project by the CDA was delivered with fireworks and fanfare on Thursday night.

Solomon said the opening would rededicate Chaguaramas as the crown jewel of T&T. He said the boardwalk created a space for commerce and recreational activities. The boardwalk provides free wifi access to users, courtesy bmobile, and boasts constant security patrols.

Solomon said Chaguaramas was expected to attract major investment interest, both locally and internationally. In his address, Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie said Phase One of the boardwalk, at Williams Bay, cost $6 million and took seven months to complete. It was constructed mostly of eco-friendly materials, he said.

Tewarie said there were different ways to look at the boardwalk. “In terms of physical assets, you have solar-powered lamps that will not affect turtles, birds or flora and fauna. “There are access decks, salt-resistant landscaping, vendor booths, security booths and lifeguard towers made of recycled plastic material,” said Tewarie.

The boardwalk is made from a combination of a concrete substructure and recycled plastic decking. “Or you can look at it as a concept, as part of a master plan to have people at the centre of development, where we provide a safe place to enjoy our country,” he said. He said it was also the kind of environment to make investment opportunities possible.

He said phase two of the project would involve fishing piers, gazebos for cooking, another 1,300 feet of boardwalk, and other features. He admitted the biggest challenge to Chaguaramas was access to the area. “At present we are talking about how we might open access with the existing roads, as well as on the water, in terms of a long-term strategy for Chaguaramas,” said Tewarie.

He added that the entire project would require a multi-ministry approach. With the first phase of the Chaguaramas Boardwalk delivered to the public, Tewarie announced plans for a seven-star hotel, a cruise ship harbour and the development of Pier 2 for the northwestern peninsula.

Phase Two design includes:
1,300 ft of boardwalk
Water features/ponds
Washroom facilities
Fishing piers
Gazebos for cooking/liming
Large rest areas
Bike trails
Kids’ park
Rock climbing
Parking
Restaurants and bars
Lost and Found
Information booth
First Aid and security response
Kayak and other rental zone
Phase Three design :
1,700 ft of boardwalk
Beach (sand area behind seawall to play football, volleyball, windball      cricket)
Two beaches
Groins and breakwaters
Shoreline protection
Bike trails
Gazebos
Washroom facilities
Parking
Rollerblade facility
Boardwalk games
Water park and amusement park