On Thursday, June 21, 2012, the construction launch and ground breaking ceremony of the San Pedro Sunset Board Walk and Water Taxi Terminal took place at the Old Football Field. Present at the event were Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Mayor of San Pedro His Lordship Daniel Guerrero, along with other members of the Belize Tourism Board.
In his speech Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. stated that San Pedro, Ambergris Caye generates millions of dollars towards the country’s economy yearly and being the number one tourist destination in Belize, having this project will only benefit the tourism industry, the island and the entire country.
San Pedro Mayor, Daniel Guerrero at ground breaking ceremony of Sunset Boardwalk
The Sustainable Tourism Program (STP) is a US$15million tourism development program funded by the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The overall intention is to strengthen the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy through infrastructural investment and planning and capacity building tools to promote growth of Belize’s tourism sector in an economical, environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
There are four infrastructural investments at four primary destinations including the Cayo Welcome Center & San Ignacio Town Rehabilitation Center, The Placencia Municipal Pier & Plaza at Placencia Point, The Belize City Fort Point Pedestrian Walk and the San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi terminal development.
The San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal’s total construction value is referenced at BZ$5.69 million and the construction timeframe is anticipated at 16 months. Construction will be done by RGB Construction.
The San Pedro Sunset Board Walk and Water Taxi Terminal project includes three main components: (i)The Fisherman’s Promenade and Sunset Boardwalk (ii)The Rehabilitation of the Old Football Field and (iii)The Water Taxi Terminal and Platform.
Carrying out the official ground breaking were Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Tracy Panton, Mayor Daniel Guerrero and RGB Construction. Mrs. Laura Esquivel-Frampton, Ag. Director of Tourism, Belize Tourism Board gave the closing remarks for the ceremony.
San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal Development will include:
Final design of Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal
The Fisherman’s Promenade and Sunset Boardwalk
*750-800 feet of paved landscaped promenade and boardwalk, located along the 66ft public reserve from Caribeña Street southwards to Buccaneer Street.
*Approximately 10,630 sq ft of leasable replacement piers which replace the existing pier structures which maintain the identity of the area.
*Three boat launch area logically located for functionally – for embarkation and emergency hurricane evacuation vessels.
*One offloading pier structure to serve the community
*Upgraded and Paved Nurse Shark Street Roadway
*Replacement and standardization of sheds and shaded structures providing ambience and visual “order” to the shoreline, along with provision of shaded fish cleaning stands for the traditional users.
The Old Football Field
*Reclamation of lagoon front of shift to the west and re-organize vehicular flow
*Refurbish field as a practice field and also Special Events field for cultural and festive activities
*Development of new waterfront vending area, open air seating, taxi stands and landscaping
*New public restrooms and security booth
*Secure field with new wall for entry control, and to provide hurricane protection for boat storage as necessary
The Water Taxi terminal and Platform
*+/- 20,000SF International Water Taxi Terminal constructed over-the water and connected with a bridge allowing for a single controlled point of entry
*Ticketing booth with provisions for customs and immigration inspections
*Public Restrooms
*Eight permanent vending structures
*Shaded eating, lighting and trash cans
*Mangrove openings for landscape purpose
