Brac Divi Tiara demolition planned

[large_diver]

Thanks for the pictures of demolition at Divi Tiara. How was your trip?

It was a great trip - just arrived home yesterday, so haven't finished processing all the pics and video yet.

First time to CBBR; 2 previous trips to Little Cayman BR. Definitely enjoyed CBBR and the overall Brac experience. Not sure I would say better or worse overall than LCBR...just different. I was there with non-diving wife and diving "kids" (24 and 22). Wife is a big rock climber, so we rented a car so she could meet folks for climbing during the week. Having a car was a big plus, not only for her climbing trips, but to explore things outside of the resort - ate at the Captain's Table for Taco Tuesday, Star Island one other night, Barracuda's bar for drinks one night, cave exploring, sunrise up on the bluff yesterday morning before leaving. I'll post a more complete report over the next few days...but we all had a great time.

Only really downside is leaving through GC airport on Saturday (yesterday). I guess it is nice not to have to wait outside the terminal as in the old days, but the lines are just as long, there is still a seating shortage in the waiting area after security, etc.

A couple of my favorite topside pics thus far...

 

[KathyV]

Your pictures are lovely and it is great that Brac provided enjoyable activities for both the Rock Climber and the Divers!

The news agencies say that the GCM airport isn't quite finished yet and that the Departure Lounge is one of the last areas to be completed, I hope that it is much improved when it is finally done.

What was the process like for interisland travel from GCM to Brac? Do you still have to go to the ticketing lounge to recheck your bags and then go through Security to access the Departure Lounge to fly to Brac?

We always rent a car for a day or two to explore the island and Brac is definitely more interesting topside than LC in my opinion.

I am looking forward to reading your trip report!

@Crazybaldarcher is looking for recommendations for topside activities on Brac, see link below, perhaps you can advise him.

Cayman Brac, top side recommendations?

 

[large_diver]

Your pictures are lovely and it is great that Brac provided enjoyable activities for both the Rock Climber and the Divers!

The news agencies say that the GCM airport isn't quite finished yet and that the Departure Lounge is one of the last areas to be completed, I hope that it is much improved when it is finally done.

What was the process like for interisland travel from GCM to Brac? Do you still have to go to the ticketing lounge to recheck your bags and then go through Security to access the Departure Lounge to fly to Brac?

Still the same process at GCM. Getting through immigration is always tough at this time of year and with lots of flights arriving at the same time...I would guess we had to wait in line for about an hour. Once through that big line, claiming our bags and re-checking for CYB was quick and easy....no line at Cayman Airways and no line to go back through security. And we had the jet service from GCM to CYB...plenty of room on the plane

Our return from GCM to CYB was on one of the Saab props. Arriving and getting bags was easy.....but the departures area at the front of the airport was packed...both for check-in and then snaking through the long line to eventually pass through security. That said, there were lots of airport folks helping to keep the line in order and coming out front to call people out of the line for flights that were about to leave (our daughter was flying to Chicago and was a beneficiary of this). Only noticed a few moments of rude/pushy behavior...people were generally well-behaved desite the long wait.

Departure lounge has a few shops open (one bar/sandwich shop and a gift shop), but also has signs saying Wendy's and Subway are "coming soon".

The tent restaurant in the parking lot apparently just closed. We went out there to try and grab a sandwich upon arriving at GCM and it was not open. When we flew back to GCM on 3/23, the tent was completely gone!

 

[KathyV]

Still the same process at GCM. Getting through immigration is always tough at this time of year and with lots of flights arriving at the same time...I would guess we had to wait in line for about an hour. Once through that big line, claiming our bags and re-checking for CYB was quick and easy....no line at Cayman Airways and no line to go back through security. And we had the jet service from GCM to CYB...plenty of room on the plane

Our return from GCM to CYB was on one of the Saab props. Arriving and getting bags was easy.....but the departures area at the front of the airport was packed...both for check-in and then snaking through the long line to eventually pass through security. That said, there were lots of airport folks helping to keep the line in order and coming out front to call people out of the line for flights that were about to leave (our daughter was flying to Chicago and was a beneficiary of this). Only noticed a few moments of rude/pushy behavior...people were generally well-behaved desite the long wait.

Departure lounge has a few shops open (one bar/sandwich shop and a gift shop), but also has signs saying Wendy's and Subway are "coming soon".

The tent restaurant in the parking lot apparently just closed. We went out there to try and grab a sandwich upon arriving at GCM and it was not open. When we flew back to GCM on 3/23, the tent was completely gone!

We always try to hop on the free shuttle to the nearby George Town Yacht Club. They pick you up outside of the GCM ticketing hall after rechecking luggage. It is a lovely place to have a relaxing meal and steal a little more vacation time before heading home. They open early for breakfast (8:30 am) on Saturday and Sunday, and at 11 am for lunch on weekdays: George Town Yacht Club

 

[KathyV]

Was at CBBR last week....demolition has begun.

View attachment 511301
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Apparently it was the Royal Visit to Brac tomorrow that finally spurred the demolition of the abandoned Divi Tiara resort. I am sure that all three of the Cayman Islands have been sprucing things up to look nice for the dignitaries that will be visiting.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived on Grand Cayman today; and tomorrow (Thursday) he will travel to both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The article at the link below says that "By Thursday, about 80 percent of the (Divi Tiara) structure should be torn down..."

They plan to spread sand over the Divi Tiara site after the demolition is completed. They may have to use explosives to demolish the timeshare structures.

Divi demolition under way on Brac | Cayman Compass

 

[large_diver]

Apparently it was the Royal Visit to Brac tomorrow that finally spurred the demolition of the abandoned Divi Tiara resort.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived on Grand Cayman today; tomorrow (Thursday) he will travel to both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The article at the link below says that "By Thursday, about 80 percent of the structure should be torn down..."
| Cayman Compass

Lots of folks talking about the royal visit last week. I guess the prince will help dedicate the gleaming new sports complex?

 

[KathyV]

Lots of folks talking about the royal visit last week. I guess the prince will help dedicate the gleaming new sports complex?

Yes, Prince Charles will be dedicating the new swimming pool at the new sports complex on Brac, see below. It's nice that the Sister Islands get to join in the celebrations for the Royal Visit and that it isn't all just about Grand Cayman.

Day 2: Thursday, March 28

His Royal Highness visits the Sister Islands, then returns to Grand Cayman.

HRH the Prince of Wales Programme - Cayman Brac, Little Cayman & Grand Cayman.

Opening of New Recreational Swimming Pool, Cayman Brac

The public should arrive at the Cayman Brac Sports Complex on Coastal Way in Stake Bay before 11am. There will be no parking in the immediate vicinity.

Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI), Little Cayman.

Residents of Little Cayman will be able to greet The Prince of Wales on arrival and departure from CCMI. Please be in place outside CCMI, located on North Coast Road, at 12:30pm. There will be no parking in the immediate vicinity of CCMI.

Clifton Hunter High School (CHHS)

Children and parents should contact the school to confirm arrangements. There will be no parking in the immediate vicinity of CHHS.

 

[Damselfish]

Apparently it was the Royal Visit to Brac tomorrow that finally spurred the demolition of the abandoned Divi Tiara resort. I am sure that all three of the Cayman Islands have been sprucing things up to look nice for the dignitaries that will be visiting.

I wonder who is behind the demolition? I was under the impression Divi still owned it and had refused to do anything about it all these years? Did the government give them some kind of incentive, or maybe just declare whatever the UK version of eminent domain is and arrange it themselves, or what? The only thing I could find that mentioned this said no one seems to know.

 

[KathyV]

Lots of folks talking about the royal visit last week. I guess the prince will help dedicate the gleaming new sports complex?

I wonder who is behind the demolition? I was under the impression Divi still owned it and had refused to do anything about it all these years? Did the government give them some kind of incentive, or maybe just declare whatever the UK version of eminent domain is and arrange it themselves, or what? The only thing I could find that mentioned this said no one seems to know.

I found this article from 2006 stating that the Divi corporation didn't act very responsibly when they closed the Tiara resort. The employees were given to believe that the resort would shut down for a few weeks for repairs during the off-season, and then a phone message was left for Cayman's Minister of Tourism telling him that they were closing the resort.

They continued to act disrespectfully over the following years by allowing the property to rot and ignoring orders to clean it up - so I am guessing that the government finally seized it and ordered the demolition and they are footing the bill - and they probably should have done it a lot sooner.

https://www.caymancompass.com/2006/09/15/today-s-editorial-sept-15-way-divi-was-closed-is-despicable/

 

[KathyV]

Demolition of Divi Tiara planned | Cayman Compass
From the article:
After being vacant for more than a decade, work will begin Monday to demolish the Divi Tiara Beach resort on Cayman Brac, according to Scott Development operations manager Mervyn Scott...the work will entail knocking down the existing buildings, cleaning up the area, and filling in the land with what he called “beautiful sand”.

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So...I wonder what is going to happen to the Divi Tiara site? Who is paying for the demolition? Who owns the land, is it still Divi? I had always thought that the downturn was because the Caymans or Brac would not grant them a casino license. They have a casino on Bonaire, Aruba, and St. Croix. I give the Caymans credit for not allowing them to carry out this activity. Somehow, I don't think this is just going to be a pretty beach, that would do little to nothing to contribute to Brac. If Cayman Brac is going to recover and become more vigorous, Divi Tiara and the Alexander Hotel problems will need to be solved in some kind of reasonable way. I have never accepted the excuse that access to Brac was too limited. It is easier and faster than accessing Little Cayman. I really liked my visit to Cayman Brac and look forward to taking advantage of the shore diving.

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Vintage!

Thanks for the pictures of demolition at Divi Tiara. How was your trip?

I wonder who is behind the demolition? I was under the impression Divi still owned it and had refused to do anything about it all these years? Did the government give them some kind of incentive, or maybe just declare whatever the UK version of eminent domain is and arrange it themselves, or what? The only thing I could find that mentioned this said no one seems to know.

Here's an update on the demolition of Divi Tiara:

Divi Tiara resort nears complete demolition