By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHA Mar is still expected to meet its targeted December 2014 opening, the resort’s Chief Marketing Officer, Denise Godreau, said yesterday.

Her comments followed speculation on social media that the resort’s opening date will be postponed because much needed supplies for the project have faced shipment delays.

Noting no such problem exists, Ms Godreau also dismissed reports that BahaMar will open in stages rather than in full.

“Attention to details,” she added, is to be praised for the resort’s continued adherence to its timeline.

She also noted that “millions of dollars” in group reservations have thus far been accumulated at the resort, with leisure time bookings set to begin on July 1st.

Executives, she added, are confident the resort’s “almost 3,000 rooms” will be filled.

“Yes we can fill these rooms,” she said. “There is a specific marketing plan for each of the four hotels.”

Meanwhile, students engaging in BahaMar’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI) programme yesterday reflected on the value of making it to the mid-way point of the programme.

The 16-week programme, which is open to people ages 16 to 25, began February 3rd and is designed to equip Bahamians with the general and leadership skills necessary to fill more than 4,000 positions at the resort.

Participants in the programme attend week-day classes between 8am and 4pm daily.

They participate in self awareness, communications, spirituality, leadership development and literacy/numeracy classes.

One of the students, 20-year-old Taran Fortune, described his experience so far as an “exotic roller-coaster” full of “ups and downs.”

He noted that with time his initial shyness has been replaced with confidence as he seeks a career within the entertainment and media fields.

Shakera Knowles, 24, also noted the “lasting change” the training programme has already had on her, adding that she hopes to work as a front desk clerk when she is done.

Granville Gibson Jr, 23, said he wants to be a croupier, adding: “I wanted to give up at a certain point, but two instructors told me there is a bigger vision to be obtained.”

Lawson Clarke, the principal, said the programme caters to inner city people. “Some of them have challenges they are working through,” he said, adding that 98 people are currently enrolled in the programme after 105 people started it.

He said one could already see differences in the students, including increased confidence and an improved communications ability.

The students will next spend a month engaging in a skills training programme before they gain a certification.

Mrs Godreau said the programme has given opportunities to people who otherwise wouldn’t expect them, because they lack a college degree.