Rehabilitation of the facilities at No. 63 Beach is expected to commence this week and refurbishing is to be done to five benabs, three pavilions and the washroom facilities while two changing rooms will also be built.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad has met with members of the No.63 Beach Committee to discuss the rehabilitation works and he noted that the opening of the Berbice River Bridge has resulted in a high influx of people into Region Six, particularly to enjoy the beach, making its upgrading necessary, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Prashad said that the work is expected to be completed by the end of November, adding that this is a “conscious effort” to resuscitate the beach’s amenities through a close public/private partnership.
The Beach Committee comprises representatives of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the Sea Defence Unit, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Skeldon Estate, National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP) and the private sector.
The Minister said that once the work is completed stringent measures should be taken to ensure that the facilities are not damaged. During the course of the construction, the Ministry will undertake the responsibility of providing security for raw materials and equipment.
Meanwhile, the Committee will be tasked with recruiting rangers and cleaners to monitor the area, especially during weekends and holidays, when a small fee will be charged for parking. The money collected will go towards maintaining the facilities.
Recently several activities aimed at boosting tourism have been held in the Region, including the $100M invested by Cortours, a company based on the Corentyne, to develop four resorts along the Corentyne River at Orealla, Cow Falls, Zambie Island and Moshabo.
And the first ever Berbice Regatta, which was held in Orealla, saw a huge turnout of visitors from Georgetown and other parts of the country and neighbouring Suriname, GINA added.
