RNCollins
TUG Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2016
- Messages
- 3,329
- Reaction score
- 1,200
- Points
- 399
- Location
- Borscht Belt
- Resorts Owned
- Tradewinds, Divi, Quarter House, Casa Ybel
From an email I received today from Divi Resorts:
November 22, 2017
“DIVI LITTLE BAY BEACH RESORT PROGRESS REPORT
It’s been two months since Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and the island of St. Maarten were hit by devastating hurricanes and a tropical storm. Divi Little Bay has been hard at work since then repairing and restoring the resort, and we would like to take this time to update you on the following:
Thank You:
We have received, and continue to receive, an outpouring of support and heartfelt messages from guests, owners and members. The management and staff of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort want to once again express their deepest gratitude and appreciation during this difficult time. Your encouragement and positivity keeps staff members motivated in recovery efforts on the resort, at their homes and around the island. The staff also sends their heartfelt thanks to all who donated to the GoFundMe campaign. These funds have been distributed directly to employees to assist with home repairs and household needs.
Next Steps:
Over the last two months, the President and COO of Divi Resorts Group, has flown to St. Maarten several times to meet with insurance adjusters, work with Little Bay’s management team on the coordination and cleanup of the resort, and of course, check on Little Bay’s staff. He has spoken with many staff members individually to assess their needs and concerns regarding the reconstruction and reopening.
The resort has established a goal of reopening in May 2018, and everyone is working diligently to meet that goal. Here’s some of the progress that Divi Little Bay has made to date:
November 22, 2017
“DIVI LITTLE BAY BEACH RESORT PROGRESS REPORT
It’s been two months since Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and the island of St. Maarten were hit by devastating hurricanes and a tropical storm. Divi Little Bay has been hard at work since then repairing and restoring the resort, and we would like to take this time to update you on the following:
Thank You:
We have received, and continue to receive, an outpouring of support and heartfelt messages from guests, owners and members. The management and staff of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort want to once again express their deepest gratitude and appreciation during this difficult time. Your encouragement and positivity keeps staff members motivated in recovery efforts on the resort, at their homes and around the island. The staff also sends their heartfelt thanks to all who donated to the GoFundMe campaign. These funds have been distributed directly to employees to assist with home repairs and household needs.
Next Steps:
Over the last two months, the President and COO of Divi Resorts Group, has flown to St. Maarten several times to meet with insurance adjusters, work with Little Bay’s management team on the coordination and cleanup of the resort, and of course, check on Little Bay’s staff. He has spoken with many staff members individually to assess their needs and concerns regarding the reconstruction and reopening.
The resort has established a goal of reopening in May 2018, and everyone is working diligently to meet that goal. Here’s some of the progress that Divi Little Bay has made to date:
- Insurance Claim:
- A full survey has been done on the damage by Little Bay’s insurance adjuster and the Divi construction team.
- Divi Little Bay is working with its insurance company to finalize their claim as soon as possible.
- Cleanup:
- Little Bay’s staff worked hard on the cleanup of the resort, including emptying rooms to make them ready for construction subcontractors.
- A subcontractor was hired to clean up all large items, including damaged trees, and remove the sand from rooms and buildings around the resort.
- The ministry of TEATT (Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, Telecommunications) is working on cleaning the beach.
Rebuild:- Divi Little Bay hired 4 subcontractors in September, to secure them as soon as possible, due to the need for everyone to rebuild on the island.
- These crews are currently fixing roofs on the beach villas, casitas, main building, retail building, hotel section 12 & 22, buildings 1–12, and buildings A, B, D, E, F and G.
- Interior repairs have begun on the beach villas, buildings 1–12, building A, B, D, E, F and G, casitas and the hotel rooms.
GoFundMe Fundraising Efforts:- Everyone at Divi Little Bay is very grateful for these generous donations, and the sentiments expressed by the owners, past guests and general public who contributed.
- As of today, the GFM campaign has raised a total of $53,325. The Resort distributed donated funds on Tuesday, November 7, which at that time totaled $49,025. In accordance with Divi Little Bay’s management team, staff and the union’s wishes, funds were disbursed equally. The GFM campaign will remain open for anyone who still wishes to donate. All additional funds (beyond the $49,025 already dispersed) will be distributed to employees in the same manner. If you would like to donate, please click here.
Update on Gizmo:- Many of you have inquired about the health and well-being of our beloved Divi Diva, Gizmo. We are happy to report she is doing very well and hasn’t let the construction ruffle her feathers – she can do that all by herself! While she’s missing her Dutch Marines, and of course all of Divi Little Bay’s owners and guests, she certainly doesn’t seem to mind the beautification of her home.
Coming Up:- Our construction crews will continue structural repairs to prepare buildings for interior reconstruction.
- Once building interiors are restored, we will begin the process of furnishing and redecorating throughout the resort.
- Barring any construction delays, we hope to reopen the resort in May 2018.