Businessman dares authorities to stop him building resort
by Sharon Lall
BUSINESSMAN Mr Lennox John admits he did not get official permission but he moved on to State land more than two years ago and began building a tourism resort at Madewini on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. John, owner of Ashmin's Trading Company, yesterday took the media on tour of the complex he is building without approval and declared he will be formally opening a section with fanfare Sunday. He does not have a lease for some 13 acres of State land and more than 135 acres of swamp at Madewini where he is putting up the $600M resort. John yesterday declared he is "waiting for the day" when authorities swoop down on him and dared anyone to stop his operation. "The greater the battle, the sweeter the victory", he said. He has dubbed the place `Splashmin's Fun Park and Resort' and construction began mid-1997 in the Madewini swamp basin through which the Madewini River flows. Bulldozing and clearing vegetation from the land is ongoing and what he plans opening Sunday is only a fraction of his proposal. The project is being done in phases over a five-year period. Phases one to four are nearing completion and these include dredging mud and vegetation and compacting sand to create a man-made beach stretching some 800 feet. Marketing Assistant at `Splashmin's', Mr Sheik Yaseen said the estimated cost for the entire project should exceed $600M. Visitors to `Splashmin's Fun Park and Resort', to be open from 10:00 hrs (a.m.) to 22:00 hrs (10:00 p.m.) all week, must pay $500 at the gate and John is offering discounts to groups. Fees for using his kayaks, paddle boats and banana boats range from $300 to $1,000. John, in a document on the proposal, said he applied for an environmental permit in 1997 but was refused after spending more than $1M for an environmental study. Another study was undertaken in 1998 and he said he was granted an environmental permit in December 1999. "During this period the company (Ashmin's Trading) received several cease orders to stop the development of the resort," the document states. It adds that there have been delays in the government granting a lease for the project since an application was made three years ago. John admitted that the Lands and Surveys Department has given him notice to remove from the land. However, he is firm on going ahead based on the merit of the project, which includes building an aquatic sports recreation park and resort and offering luxury villas on a plot of land. He told reporters he has been spending some $500,000 on fuel per week to continue works on the plot of land. John said he wants to create something that is considered "one of a kind in the Caribbean." He plans to put down a cricket field, volleyball and basketball facilities, a modern office complex that can accommodate a conference room, recreation area with modern play systems for children, restaurant/bar and a 4-star hotel on which construction should commence in December. A 850-feet-deep well which can supply 10,700 gallons of water has also been dug to service lavatories, a restaurant and bar. On the lawns of `Splashmin's' there are public phone booths, dressing rooms, lifeguard towers, gift shops that sell swimwear and water toys, kiddies play houses and benabs. Company staff said a community group comprising 700 persons from the East Coast is among organisations that have already booked events at `Splashmin's' this month. Employees are hoping the venture qualifies John for this year's tourism award from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana.
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