By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

With the Crowne Plaza Golf Resort and Casino at the Royal Oasis, one of Grand Bahama's largest hotel properties, still awaiting final approval on its sale, a large percentage of Grand Bahamians are expressing despair as the "slow season" moves into its peak period.

Without fail, during the months of August, September and October local resorts experience a distinctive drop in occupancy, leaving employees with one or two days work.

"Although it is only two days, I am still happy to be working," said one female employee at a local resort, who wanted to remain anonymous.

She believes the employer is being as fair as possible to all of their employees during this slow period; however, the financial strain is becoming "stressful."

This female employee is not alone, but even with two pay cheques, "we are still barely getting our bills covered. But we are making do."

She noted that these are periods when parents should take the opportunity to teach their children to be responsible.

Not all employees, however, are as understanding.

"This is ridiculous," said a male employee. "The government is responsible for taking care of its people and right now they are doing a terrible job."

He added that "things" in Grand Bahama appear to be getting worse by the minute and "it is simply irresponsible of them."

"The Royal Oasis has been closed for two years," he said. "The people that owned it owes the Government, Grand Bahama Power and probably other businesses. Something must be done in Freeport and done now!"

He said he is waiting for election time to come around and "I want to encourage people to go out and register."

"We cannot live like this, from hand to mouth everyday, every week," he said.

World Investment Holdings signed a $40 million contract with Lehman Brothers, the mortgagees of the resort more than two months ago for the purchase of the 424-acre property.

The sale includes 965 rooms between the towers and the country club, a casino and 98 timeshare units and has a targeted October 16 completion date.