COURSE developers still envision the glitter of Monte Carlo on the flatlands of Bushy Park.
And although they have permission to start the multi-million-dollar links in St. Philip early next year, Government is still saying no to a casino. In a WEEKEND NATION telephone interview yesterday, Richard Lyons, one of the developers based in England, said his people are still pushing Government for casino rights "down the road".
"We are not giving up because we think it is the right thing for Barbados' tourism product," he said.
Without that approval, Lyons said the US$150 million complex planned will have to be downscaled. That complex now includes a 500-room hotel, an 18-hole golf course, 250 villas and apartments, a 1 000-seat conference centre, a watersport park, a bowling centre with 32 lanes and a number of fast food outlets and shops.
Lyons said the entire complex should be completed within the next six years and will target up-market tourists. A casino, he said, would do much to lure that type of tourist.
"Our casino would be a Monte Carlo type of hotel where people would be in tuxedos. We would also be introducing guidelines and regulations already instituted in the United Kingdom."
He said those rules keep Mafia-types out and prohibit money laundering.
Lyons said the control of casinos is important to ensure that a country reaps the benefits associated with increased foreign exchange. He also suggested that Government limit the number of casinos and recommended a casino for Heywoods to resurrect that facility.