Ministry of Works and Engineering Office of the Minister of Works and Engineering th 27 August, 2010 The financial year 2009/10 has been a period of significant change and accomplishment for the West End Development Corporation [“WEDCo”]. As the Minister with assigned responsibility for WEDCo, I am extremely pleased to note that the partnership between Government and WEDCo remains as strong and as healthy as ever, one that is rapidly transforming the Royal Naval Dockyard into a dynamic destination and community of which all Bermuda can be proud. During the past year, I have had the honour of attending three major openings, each of which underscored the remarkable progress unfolding in Dockyard as we realize WEDCo’s vision of the west end of the Island as Bermuda’s premier destination for residents and visitors alike. In April 2009, I joined our Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP in opening the second cruise ship terminal at Heritage Wharf. With two megaships now able to dock simultaneously, the increased business that additional passengers and crew bring provides a considerable economic boost for the Dockyard specifically and the Island generally. In June 2009, WEDCo Chairman, the Hon. Walter M. Lister, JP, MP, and I officially opened the second traffic lane across Cockburn Bridge and the widened historic Main Gates – much-needed improvements that will greatly improve efficient access to and from Dockyard. Then, in January 2010, I was privileged to preside over the official opening of the West End Waste Water Reclamation Treatment Plant at Sally Port. This state-of-the-art facility is essential in meeting the increased water demands of a thriving Dockyard and the west end. There can be no doubt that careful planning, unwavering commitment and hard work on the part of WEDCo and Government provided the underpinning for these three critically important projects. Indeed, the WEDCo team, headed by Chairman Lister and General Manager, Mr. Andrew Dias, is richly deserving of gratitude and praise for continuing to work diligently and enthusiastically as it advances the Dockyard dream. As the Royal Navy Dockyard celebrated its 200th anniversary this year, we were honoured by a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The royal presence, perfect weather and perfect organization led to a day that WEDCo and the people of the west end of the Island will never forget: an exciting new chapter in Dockyard’s colourful history had well and truly begun. The Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, JP, MP Minister of Works and Engineering General Post Office Building, 56 Church Street, Hamilton HM 12, BERMUDA PO Box HM 525, Hamilton HM CX, BERMUDA Phone (441) 297-7815 Fax: (441) 295-0170 Email:[email protected] Website: www.gov.bm The Wes T end developmenT Corpora Tion | Annu Al RepoR t 2010 Letter From the Chairman The face of the Dockyard has changed interest in the yachting community although this project is in re-enactment by Sandys Secondary students of the Dockyard December saw WEDCo start its special Christmas more in the last year than it has changed its early stages and there is much groundwork yet to be done. Apprentices journey to the UK in 1950 to complete their Shopping campaign. Each Sunday of the month there in the previous fifty years. As the summer drew to an end we were happy with the training. The “real” apprentices were then introduced to Her was entertainment provided by various artists; free gift- increased number of cruise ship visitors and the tourists that Majesty. Dr. David Saul had a display of woodcarvings which wrapping and a special Kiddie Corner with face painting and In April the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart came to Dockyard. We have truly become the destination on the Queen admired as she made her way into the Chartroom a fun castle, where the little ones could be left while their Brown, JP, MP, accompanied with the the Island most visited by tourists. where Sandys Middle School demonstrated an “old fashioned parents or guardians shopped. Minister of Works and Engineering, the Bermuda wedding”. Hon. Derrick Burgess, JP, MP, came to The highlight of the year was in November with the Royal With all the accomplishments of this fiscal year we were not Dockyard to open the newly completed Heritage Wharf. Visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Outside, Her Majesty unveiled a plaque commemorating the done yet; in January 2010 Minister the Hon. Derrick Burgess This event was attended by many representatives from the Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. It was a beautiful day; many visit before she left to enjoy lunch at the Commissioner’s JP, MP returned to officially open the new Waste Water Government, the West End community and the shipping seniors from the various senior homes in Somerset were in House on the grounds of the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Reclamation Treatment Plant, located in Sally Port, Dockyard. community. This is the only port in Bermuda that can attendance along with tourist and residents from all over This facility will assist in servicing our water requirements accommodate the mega cruise ships and the event marked a the Island. Her Majesty was greeted at our ferry dock by throughout the year; especially with the mega cruise ships wonderful start to the 2009 cruise ship season. elementary school students; the Drum Corps of the Sandys during the summer months. Secondary School serenaded her Majesty as she drove past on In June the Minister of Works and Engineering returned to her way to the Clocktower Mall. At the mall she was greeted The year 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of The Royal the West End where he and I together opened the new second by WEDCo’s Chairman, the Hon. Mr. Walter Lister, JP, MP and Naval Dockyard. We are proud of our accomplishments and lane to Cockburn Cut Bridge and the widening of the historic Mrs. Brenda Lister, who then introduced her to other members look forward to continued growth in our fiscal year 2010-2011. Main Gates of the Royal Naval Dockyard. Traffic now flows of the WEDCo Board and local area Members of Parliament. easily in and out of Dockyard. Upstairs in the Clocktower Mall, Mrs. Bentley, who is 100 During the summer of 2009 we announced plans for a years-old and a resident of the Packwood Home rendered proposed marina for the South Basin. This sparked much “God Save the Queen” on the piano. This was followed by a The Hon. Mr. Walter Lister, JP, MP Chairman 2 The Wes T end developmenT Corpora Tion | Annu Al RepoR t 2010 General ManaGer’s report I am both proud and delighted to report that the West End heritage and ambience of Dockyard that is at the core of its Development Corporation has made significant progress appeal. Everything we do should enhance, not detract from during the financial year 2009-2010. those unique qualities. The completion and opening of the second cruise ship We are committed to ensuring that Dockyard is sustainable terminal at Heritage Wharf and the increased volume of and as “green” as possible. Increased public transportation visitors it brings has changed the face of Dockyard and will and pedestrianisation will help reduce pollution levels; positively impact the West End and the rest of Bermuda for our strategic planning places great value on retaining and years to come. enhancing open space; and we hope to take advantage of Dockyard’s location to develop alternative sources of energy However in addition to presenting obvious short-term such as wind and solar power. business opportunities, it also presents new challenges. The new terminal provides an economic springboard but it is In closing I wish to thank WEDCo’s dedicated management critical that WEDCo and our various stakeholders nurture and and staff for their efforts during the past year as well as the develop this opportunity and not take it for granted. We need Ministry of Works and Engineering and the Ministry of Tourism to manage expectations, especially among our retail partners, with whom we continue to enjoy a productive and successful that today’s cruise ship passengers are likely to have different working partnership. tastes and spending habits to tourists of the past and that goods and services need to be targeted accordingly. We need to ensure that Dockyard continues to provide a pleasant and memorable experience for locals and visitors alike, by encouraging a diversity of attractions and activities. One of the most attractive things about the West End for locals and visitors is that there is something for everyone. Andrew Dias There is nowhere in Bermuda that provides so much that General manager is so accessible in one place – shopping, restaurants, water sports, arts and crafts, history and museums, swimming with dolphins, superb natural beauty and open space, as well as a growing live entertainment scene at night. Although we pride ourselves on developing a premier port and tourist destination, we have seen a significant and gratifying increase in local trade over the past two years, especially at weekends, as Bermuda residents discover that Dockyard is not only a desirable place to visit but one in which to live and work. We need to manage our future growth so that while we upgrade amenities and facilities to those of a world-class destination and port, we remain respectful of the remarkable 4 THE YEAR IN REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS During a year in which the Royal Naval Dockyard proudly Cruise SHIP Visits celebrated its 200th anniversary and welcomed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was fitting that the financial year 2009- Work on the second cruise ship terminal at Heritage Wharf 2010 saw the West End Development Corporation (WEDCo, or was completed by the Department of Tourism in April 2009.