Bahamas News
UB-North Campus relocation celebrated with historic soft opening
By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey boasted that the new home of the University of The Bahamas North (UB-North) Campus will significantly contribute to the revitalization of Downtown Freeport.
Minister Moxey was speaking at the soft opening for the completion of Phase I of the UB-North rebuild project at the new campus, formerly known as the Kipling Building, on December 13, 2024.
She further stressed that the relocation of the campus to the heart of the Grand Bahama community following its devastation from Hurricane Dorian represents more than the renovation and construction of buildings.
“It means more accessible opportunities for residents in pursuit of higher learning to improve their quality of life and it represents a boost of activity and injection of revenue into our commercial centre,” she said.
Minister Moxey also thanked His Excellency Sebastian Bastian for his significant philanthropic contribution which made the day possible.
The Minister for Grand Bahama noted that she could not understate the vital role of UB-North in the economic growth and development of Grand Bahama Island and the entire Northern Bahamas.
UB’s presence Downtown, she added, will foster partnerships between the university and the business community, as well as government agencies and non-government organizations on initiatives that are focused on the social and cultural transformation of underserved communities on Grand Bahama.
A 15-member team from the Beautiful Grand Bahama Programme under her Ministry’s COLLAB Unit was also assigned to assist with the demolition, debris removal and cleaning of the campus.
“I am elated that the work done by Beautiful Grand Bahama has supported UB’s goal of returning the students to a campus where they can reconnect, have a sense of belonging and participate in an authentic university experience,” she said.
“To add to this, I see a very bright future for UB-North as a central economic driver creating a college town in the hub of Downtown Freeport.”
Minister Moxey pointed that the day marked a moment of celebration for UB executives, faculty, staff and students for soldiering on and believing in the realization of the new UB-North campus.
His Excellency Bastian, whose contribution is expected to total $5 million at the completion of the five-phased project, called It a celebration of a new day, adding that the students now have the new campus as a springboard to catapult themselves into a brighter and successful future.
“Today, students now can rest assured that this is just the beginning of so many more to come,” he said.
The completion of the project, renaming and commissioning of the new campus is expected to be completed by June 2025
President of the Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Acting President of the University of The Bahamas Janyne Hodder and UB-North Campus Executive Vice-President Dr. Ian Strachan also brought remarks.
PHOTO CAPTION – The completion of Phase I of the University of The Bahamas North campus rebuild project in Downtown Freeport was marked with a soft opening and attended by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey; His Excellency Sebastian Bastian; President of the Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Acting President of the University of The Bahamas Janyne Hodder; UB-North Campus Executive Vice-President Dr. Ian Strachan and other dignitaries on December 13, 2024.
(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
