By Sancheska Brown

Tribune Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

BAHA MAR officials yesterday celebrated its mid-way completion point with a topping off celebration at the $3.5 million resort – exactly two years after officially breaking ground.

The event marked the completion of the final level – the 25th floor of the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel, the tallest building at the 1,000 acre resort.

Sarkis Izmirilian, Baha Mar Chairman and CEO, used the opportunity to announce the formation of Believe, Baha Mar’s philanthropic foundation, and an alliance with the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB).

“I am pleased to announce today one of our most important initiatives, the launch of Believe – The Baha Mar Foundation. It was created to give every Baha Mar team member a chance to shape the impact of our philanthropy and the future of their community. It did not take long to find out what causes our team members were most passionate about. We want to strengthen their community through education and other helpful initiatives we have the desire to show the world the sophistication of our Bahamian people,” he said.

“And so Believe will build upon the work our team members are already doing in their community. Today, I am pleased to announce that Baha Mar will commit to raising $1 million before its opening day in December 2014 to ensure the foundation is off to a strong start.

“Through an innovative alliance with Baha Mar, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), will curate art works on loan from their significant collections as well as works from the prestigious D’Aguilar Art Foundation and the private Dawn Davies collection. Works will be displayed throughout common areas of the Baha Mar resort and in unique gallery spaces in the Baha Mar Convention Centre.”

Additionally, Baha Mar announced a new design partnership with Bahamian multi-platinum Grammy-award winning performing artist, actor, and designer Lenny Kravitz and internationally renowned, ESPA, a British company that currently operates more than 350 exclusive spas in 55 countries, will operate Baha Mar’s destination spa.

The Bahamas National Youth Choir gave a special performance of the national anthem as part of the official topping off

moment, guests were then thrilled to a fireworks spectacle choreographed to Lenny Kravitz’s emblematic songs, “Are You Gonna Go My Way and Fly Away.”

Baha Mar is on schedule to be opened in December 2014.