Gunboat Beach officially opened as a public recreational space on Thursday, July 2, 1959. The beach is part of a 150-acre recreational center development project inspired by Miami Beach development and will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., except on holidays when it would open earlier.
Beach Transformation and Future Plans
The transformation of Gunboat Beach involved converting a swampy area into a garden with grass and trees. Future development plans include fencing for sharks, gondolas, and hotel/motel construction. A road from the roundabout on the St Thomas Road through Hope Gorge to August Town and the UCWI is proposed.
Key Speakers at the Opening
Councillor Iris King, Mayor, addressed attendees at the Gunboat Beach opening. She spoke of how nature has blessed the country:
"…especially since our country is blessed by nature with lovely beaches and what goes to make lovely resort areas."
Hon. Florizel Glasspole also made statements at the opening. He emphasized the importance of preserving the new facilities for the benefit of the majority. According to Glasspole:
"The Government could not contemplate the expenditure of large sums of money to develop and create this centre and then allow one small unit of people to spoil the facilities and prevent the larger number of people who wish to come here from coming here."
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