By NICO SCAVELLA

ROBERT “Sandy” Sands, Baha Mar’s Senior Vice President of Administration and External Affairs, said yesterday that the $3.5 billion resort is currently experiencing “no setbacks at all” with its new “late spring 2015” opening date.

Speaking with reporters after the graduation of 160 students from Baha Mar’s Leadership Development Institute, Mr Sands said “everything remains normal” at Baha Mar despite having to delay its heavily anticipated December 2014 grand opening.

“We’re continuing to work with our brand partners, and (as you see) the jewels are going in the crown at Baha Mar on a daily basis,” he said.

“We’re certainly excited about that day when we will all put to work the assets of all these beautiful people here at Baha Mar.”

Last month, Baha Mar officials confirmed that its heavily promoted December 2014 “grand opening” had been postponed to “late spring 2015,” with the resort’s development to open in stages from December onwards.

Baha Mar President Tom Dunlap, in a letter addressed to employees obtained by The Tribune, subsequently outlined the development’s opening plans.

In that letter he stated: “We expect to have the full Baha Mar destination resort open for our guests” in late spring 2015, but did not give any specifics as to which parts would open when and in which order.

“We are in the process of determining what areas will open at specific dates between December and the grand opening celebration,” he said.

“We’re working through the details with our partners, and expect to know more by October.”

Mr Sands at the time told The Tribune that the company’s priority was to “get the guest experience right the first time” and that it was “not uncommon” for projects of Baha Mar’s scale to experience phased or staged openings. He added that the delay was not caused by complications in its construction.

“Not at all,” was Mr Sands’ reply when asked if the delays caused any negative reaction from any of Baha Mar’s partners. “We will start our previews in December of 2014 and then we will work towards our grand opening in late spring 2015,” he said yesterday.

“Our heads of agreement contemplated a staggered opening, so there’s nothing adverse to that position.”

Once complete the resort will include a 100,000 square foot casino, an 18-hole, 72-par Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, an ESPA at Baha Mar spa and more than 12 pools.

Officials have said the resort will hire around 4,000 employees this year.

• LDI graduation - page 10