Above: a rendering of the project
By the Caribbean Journal staff
One Caribbean island is about to get a whole lot cooler.
A new project called Cayman Ice Palace is set to break ground soon in Grand Cayman.
The project aims to be a “world-class entertainment facility” including 6,300 seats for concerts, along with the ability to host hockey, skating, boxing, basketball and a daily “cirque-style” ice show aimed at cruise visitors.
“As one of the Caribbean’s premier vacation destinations, it’s important for the Cayman Islands to be continually innovating and improving its tourism offering,” said Tim Best of Hard Hat Sports and Entertainment, which is leading the project. “The government’s foresight in recognizing the need to improve cruise ship passengers’ experience when visiting Cayman is to be applauded.”
Local contractors Arch and Godfrey have been tapped to construct the project, which was designed by Michigan-based Robert Andrus.
The $30 million George Town-set project will also include a 160,000-square-foot solar panel roof, with green energy expertise from Green Tech Group in Cayman.
“We are excited and committed to playing our part in providing the country with a vibrant, attractive, mixed-use and walkable downtown area, and through this growing tourism in the Cayman Islands,” Best said. “We will continue to work closely with the Government, the Tourism Association, airlines, local and international travel trade and other industry partners to identify new travel and tourism opportunities.”