(Left to right) Mr. Hannes Babak,
Chairman – GBPA , and Mr. Ian Rolle, President – GBPA , survey site for new Farmers Market.
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Freeport, Bahamas
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Today, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Group of
Companies, announced that the former Goombay Park has been chosen as
the site for the new Farmers Market.
Surveying the two acre site
located just northwest of the International Bazaar, Mr. Hannes Babak,
Chairman of GBPA, expressed excitement at the new turn of events.
“After much consultation
with local fisherman earlier this year, GBPA determined that a downtown
location would be more appropriate and convenient for a fish market.
Subsequently, it was decided that the project would not only encompass
a fish market, but also include a space for vendors to sell fruit and
vegetables as well. Therefore, we are very pleased to mark this
site as the future home of Grand Bahama’s new Farmers Market,” Mr.
Babak explained.
Back in August of this year,
GBPA carried out extensive demolition at Goombay Park. The area,
which had once been a popular gathering spot for visitors and tourists,
had deteriorated over the years, becoming an eyesore and unsanitary
health risk.
Now, with today’s announcement
by GBPA, this downtown site will soon be revitalized as new water, drainage
and electrical systems will soon be installed, including access to both
fresh and salt water on the premises.
The new Farmers Market is an
integral part of GBPA’s new Downtown Turnaround initiative.
“We are mandated to create new economic activity and provide an environment
in which businesses can flourish. The new Farmers Market is one
way by which we can breathe new life into the downtown area,” said
Mr. Ian Rolle, President of GBPA.