Nevis Premier Hon. Joseph Parry has indicated that the Four Seasons Resort on that island may re-open as early as November this year. The announcement came during Tuesday’s inaugural airing of the Premier Parry’s live radio program “In Touch with the Premier”. The program is set to air every Tuesday at 11:15a.m. on ZIZ and Choice 103.5 FM. Parry informed that following a bank foreclosure later this month, plans to re-open the luxury hotel would commence. “The Four Seasons is having certain experiences but on the 25th of March I believe that the banks will foreclose on the property -they are coming here to Nevis- after that they will move forward very quickly to have the property repaired for re-opening,” he said. More than 600 persons lost their jobs after Hurricane Omar extensively damaged the Four Seasons Resort in 2008. Since then many tentative re-opening dates have been publicized however the 196-room resort located at Pinney’s Beach remains closed. “Later this year I’m sure that many persons will be able to enjoy working at the Four Seasons again,” Parry said of one of the largest employers on the island. According to the Four Seasons Resort Nevis website, “The target opening date is November 1, 2010.” The site stated that more information would be provided as it became available. Premier Parry assured that employment remains one of the focal points of the Nevis Island Administration, adding that a number of initiatives were coming on stream that would assuage the lingering unemployment problem. “We are aware that at this time we are suffering from a recession and we are aware that the Four Seasons Hotel is closed and has been closed now for a year and a half. As the economy takes the stress and strain of the recession more and more persons are out of work. And so it beholds the government not only to identify those persons who are not working but to try to assist in terms of placement. “In the meantime we all have the responsibility to support our neighbors, those who are out of work, those that have distressing situations; and if you are aware of where jobs are available if you can kindly direct people,” he encouraged. He added that although unemployment is now higher than it was a few years ago, Nevis was still faring better than most other Caribbean countries in that regard. Parry fielded questions on several other national issues including the current regional water shortage and the ongoing Geothermal Energy project. He said he looked forward to hearing from the citizens about their concerns as he always enjoyed engaging the people of Nevis. “This program will provide information about the work the government is doing to ensure that our people continue to be represented and to make sure that we not only deliver services but that people realize the services are being delivered. We know we have challenging times; the government is up to it. We have the capability to do the job.”
