Date: October 10, 2007
The Landings, St Lucia, a luxury condominium development near Rodney Bay has pledged substantial financial support to a local charity ‘Grow Well’ which provides encouragement, guidance, support and training to youths in the local district. With many all-inclusive resorts criticised for taking from, rather than contributing to, island life the move has been widely welcomed.
The Grow Well volunteer based charity was established 12 years ago when it emerged that many of the social problems in the area were attributed to an increasing number of ‘youth at risk’ due to the inadequate social support services. Their programmes include, amongst others; library services, computer training, education for those unable to be at school, hospitality training and counselling workshops. They also plan to expand their programmes for seniors and are aiming to develop a project which will assist those wanting to start a home based business with the help of a small loan.
The Landings support will include an annual contribution to match donations and proceeds from fund raising activities. In 2007 this totaled EC$38,000. In addition, Landings’ Resort guests will be asked to donate to Gros Islet social programmes. This money will be used to support Grow Well and other programmes. Together this will more than double the charity’s existing funding and as more condominiums are built and rented out, the budget could be more than tripled. In addition, The Landings will support the Hospitality Programme with trainers, materials and training venues and offer job opportunities in areas such as resort hospitality, building trades, maintenance and landscaping.
From the outset and during construction The Landings has made it a priority to engage local contractors and local labour. And if a specific trade needed to be sourced off shore, local labour was paired with the off shore tradespersons to maximise the local training contribution.
Frank Heaps, CEO of The Landings says: “We want to be a good neighbour and caring citizen within the local community. We are keen to support a variety of programmes which are youth orientated, where the need is greatest, so Grow Well is a perfect fit.”
Grow Well’s President, Monique Dubisson, stated: “We have and continue to rely heavily on fund-raising activities and the generosity of all of our existing and committed sponsors to support our programmes. The interest and commitment shown by The Landings will certainly be an added boost to the activities of the Grow Well family, and we are extremely grateful for this magnanimous contribution to assist our fund-raising effort. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with The Landings.”
The Landings has completed phase one of its development and the resort will be officially opened by the Prime Minister of St Lucia the Honourable Stephenson King on 7th December 2007.
Its freehold residences are built around a private yacht harbour on one of the finest beaches in St Lucia. Properties overlook either the beach or the harbour with views over Rodney Bay. Amenities on site include yacht moorings, beach club, water sports, sunset lounge located on the pier, a gourmet restaurant, fitness club, luxury spa and salon, swimming pools, boutique, tennis and resort reception area. Owners at The Landings also have membership at the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club, which is a 5 minutes drive from the resort.
Rock Resorts has already begun taking holiday reservations at The Landings, St. Lucia.
Editors Notes
Since its launch in January 2005 The Landings has won two highly coveted Bentley International Property Awards for ‘Best Marina Development Worldwide’ and ‘Best Caribbean Development’.
Rock Resorts have won numerous Conde Nast Traveller Awards in recent years including The Readers Choice Top Resort 2006 for The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, and Top 10 Resorts in the US 2005 for The Pine Lodge and Snake River Lodge & Spa, amongst others.
Media Enquiries: Telephone: Wanda Octave at 758 452 0422.
Email wandao@thelandingsstlucia.com
