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Toad Hall could be Gov't-owned by October – Hon Wheatley

- said parties are at end of negotiations
Toad Hall, a 'prime real estate' located on Virgin Gorda, could be government-owned by October this year, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said. Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said Government is working 'really, really hard to close that deal and to acquire Toad Hall'. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said Government is working 'really, really hard to close that deal and to acquire Toad Hall'. Photo: VINO/File
Toad Hall Estate was a highly sought-after luxury vacation villa that sustained damage in the 2017 hurricanes. Photo: GIS/File
Toad Hall Estate was a highly sought-after luxury vacation villa that sustained damage in the 2017 hurricanes. Photo: GIS/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Toad Hall, located on Virgin Gorda, could be government-owned by October this year, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said.

The Government of the Virgin Islands said on November 11, 2019, that Cabinet had approved the purchase of the five acre-property.

However, speaking last night, September 20, 2020, during his weekly social media live, Minister Wheatley said: “We are at the end of the negotiations now… we are working really, really hard to close that deal and to acquire Toad Hall, hopefully before October is out I could say it is now ours.”

New property will be a plus

Honourable Wheatley said, with the acquisition, The Baths experience would be elevated.

“By acquiring that property, it will give us a lot of options of enhancing The Baths experience. Imagine having a visitor centre where you can see fish or get lectures before you actually get to the beach. I would I like to see more happening from the time you hit the parking lot all through Stony Bay, Devil’s Bay, to The Baths, you see different things out there with access for seniors, access for persons in wheelchairs, access for persons who have medical problems and so forth,” he stated.

Honourable Wheatley also revealed that presently a lot of pressure will be on The Baths, especially when the tourists come calling.

Prime real estate

When the government announced its plans of purchasing Toad Hall, it described it as a ‘prime real estate’ that was constructed in the 1970s.

It is situated in the Greater Baths National Park area on the Toad Hall Estate.

The release continued saying that the property was a “highly sought-after luxury vacation villa that sustained damage in the 2017 Hurricanes.”

They informed that the estate would be rebuilt, offering guests an exclusive entrance to The Baths National Park, exclusive authentic Virgin Islands’ cultural and historical experiences, and will also serve as a platform for local artisans, entertainers, and craftsmen to showcase their craft.

“The acquisition of Toad Hall Estate allows the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) to construct the NPTVI Headquarters which includes a state-of-the-art visitor interpretation and environmental education centre, that will have a gift shop and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the outer islands,” it informed.

11 Responses to “Toad Hall could be Gov't-owned by October – Hon Wheatley”

  • Government into private business (21/09/2020, 08:38) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    why is the government spending money they don't have to get into private business they cannot operate? Is someone actually thinking about these things? Simply lease it out and let a professional business run it! Mark my words - this idea will not come of the ground....
    • black (21/09/2020, 11:11) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      They keep bawling there is no money but yet they buying up VG real estate very quietly. How come he talking bout the $5 million dollars that them buy the chateau for ?
  • Greg (21/09/2020, 09:05) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    And we can't even get a bathroom at Josiah's Bay Beach. This popular surfing beach that draws hundreds of people, have people crapping in the bushes and pissing anywhere they can hide. For years we have been begging for the bathroom that was built over 10 years ago, to just have the freaking plumbing installed, that's all. It would not cost over $5000, yet government finds money for everything else. It's shameful , disgraceful and the most unsanitary thing we have ever seen. Sick of the ones in charge of our beaches.
    • wow (21/09/2020, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      @greg take it up with your District Representative. We put ours in to work for us and get things done. He’s doing that! Also National Parks will be spending most of their money!!
      • Greg (21/09/2020, 11:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        @SMH, we brought this to our district leader many times, and we are still waiting with no positive response to this date. We only get flimsy excuses and it is a health hazard at its highest right now. Women don't have the dignity of having a toilet. They had portables there which were removed for CIVID-19 shutdown ans never brought back. We don't need portables since they have a nice bathroom already built.
  • voter (21/09/2020, 09:11) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
    Mehson the VIP ah work
  • Dino (21/09/2020, 09:55) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make sure it won't be another Prospect Reef type of "success story"
  • Informed (21/09/2020, 12:38) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sounds like the $5mil on the greenhouses which never grew anything. The $15mil roads that washed down the hill on the first rain. The $7mil for the airplane which did not fly. $30Mil for the contract to the water company who build nothing but still got paid. Im so pleased the government has some deep pockets to wast all this money.
  • Fran (21/09/2020, 14:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Greg. "EVERY" active beach should have a working bathroom. The embarrassment and unhealthy issues are just inhumane. Who is in charge of this???????
  • Staying positive (23/09/2020, 11:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s hope whomever is in charge of its upkeep is more responsible than those who didn’t do anything with Prospect Reef. It was left to go to the dogs! Prime property left to rot! Government needs to keep those they have in management positions, accountable. If they are unable to do their jobs responsibly, get rid of them. It’s a new era and all these lazy workers need to be given their walking papers.
  • good move (24/09/2020, 13:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Toad Hall Borders the baths beach, The baths is the #1 attraction that bring tourist to Virgin Gorda. If you have more land you can offer a better recreation space. It is so jammed up there when the cruiseships come to virgin gorda. This land will give an alternate entrance to the baths beach and allow even for vendors for years to come. Good Move, keep the vision alive.


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