News
Exuma bike race raises funds for children’s shelter
Exuma, Bahamas, February 15, 2017 – Annual cycling event in Exuma raises more than $20,000 for new Children’s Shelter and donates bikes to high school. In the hot blazing sun, 15-year-old Cameron Williams peddled and peddled in his flip-flops up the spine of Exuma. His old, rickety BMX scraped the edge of the road where pavement met ash fault. He teetered, but never fell. Older boys in the back of a support vehicle shouted and encouraged the younger boy. Cameron hit another edge, and one of his shoes fell off.
The support vehicle car stopped. But he kept going. One of the boys picked the shoe up off the road, throwing it in the back of the truck. Cameron was the last to finish the Tour de Turquoise, but finish he did, despite the loss of a shoe.
The event last weekend, now in its third year, featured dozens of cyclists of all skill levels and abilities, with more than $20,000 going towards a Children’s Shelter for the island. Last year, Tour de Turquoise raised a similar amount and purchased a new hospital bus.
Howard Chang, the event’s founder, credits the people of Exuma for embracing Tour de Turquoise and helping to make it such a success. “I have been a homeowner on Exuma now for several years, and one of the reasons we chose Exuma is because of the people,” Chang said, who owns an advertising firm in Toronto and helped bring a large group of philanthropists to the island. “The most rewarding part has been the enthusiasm we’ve received from the community, particularly the students.”
With a special focus on youth, Tour de Turquoise, using a portion of its sponsorship funds, has been introducing bikes onto the island of Exuma. Students are given access to the bikes through a newly established club at L N Coakley High School.
This year, eight students got the chance to use the new bikes in last Saturday’s race, while others, like Cameron, were also encouraged to participate in the event. The goal, Chang said, is to gradually introduce more bikes onto the island and allow students to use them in a monitored and safe environment. “Bikes capture the imagination and we were overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the high school,” Chang added.
Tour de Turquoise features three events: a community ride involving a few laps of George Town, a 50km ride to Turquoise Cay and back, and the main ride, over 70km, taking riders to Santana’s Restaurant and back. In addition to a crop of highly skilled cyclists, all of whom made substantial donations to the cause, there were two VIPs in the mix.
Christian Van Velde, the US cycling star, is best known for his many wins on the professional circuit, including a 4th place finish at the Tour de France. Curt Harnett, a Canadian, has won multiple medals at the Olympics and held the world record for the 200 metre time trial for 11 years.
Overall, Tour de Turquoise was a community effort, with a long term vision to give back to the island. Among many others, Chang was assisted by John Nixon, the Airport Manager on Exuma, the Exuma Foundation of Canada, the Exuma Foundation (US), and GIV Bahamas Inc., one of the leading developers and philanthropic organizations on Exuma.
Tour de Turquoise was sponsored by Grand Isle Resort, Dilly Crab Ranch, Sun-Fun Tours and GIV Bahamas Inc. In addition to the cycling, the philanthropists enjoyed a boat excursion up the Exuma Cays, courtesy of Sun-Fun Tours, and visited the areas many attractions, including the now world famous swimming pigs.
“Giving back to the island is a huge part of what we do,” said Tyrone Munroe, Director and Head of Operations at GIV Bahamas Inc. “We thank Howard for his continuous efforts to give back to the island. I think this event in particular has tremendous potential for the future.”
If the determination of Cameron Williams is any window into the future, the youth of Exuma seem to agree wholeheartedly. For more information on the event, you can visit its website at www.rideforexuma.com
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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