YASMIN POPESCU

FN News Reporter

yasmin@nasguard.com

A "mega" water theme park is to be built in Freeport creating up to 100 permanent jobs, it has been announced.

Construction is about to begin sometime during the first quarter of this year.

The venture was announced by Ian Fair, chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, as he addressed the Bahamas Business Outlook in Nassau.

He described it as a "game-changing" beach and water park creating between 75 and 100 permanent jobs once it is constructed.

Building work will create work for another 50 people.

Fair declined to name the investors or company behind the plan but the investment required would certainly be a "a few million dollars".

"This is going to be pretty mega," Fair is quoted as saying.

"This is a company that is highly experienced in this area. They've been encouraged by the cruise lines to do it. They operate elsewhere and do a very good job in that area."

Being built in phases, the theme park's second phase will include a zip line and a dolphin encounters-type attraction.

This project's location is a closely guarded secret at the moment, with Fair only saying it is to be built in the eastern part of Freeport