Plans are underway to transform the natural spring at Great Mountain into a new tourist attraction, with Fifth District Representative Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5)  announcing that the project will honour the late Shabbaz, who had long envisioned the development. Photo: Internet Source

Speaking during the Fifth District Dialogues on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Honourable Rymer said a contract had recently been signed to advance the project. Photo: Facebook

Speaking during the Fifth District Dialogues on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Honourable Rymer said a contract had recently been signed to advance the project. 

Initial work began 

The initial phase will include paving the area and improving access to the spring, which remains a consistent source of water.

“One thing that I’ve always spoken about is going up Great Mountain; there’s a natural spring,” Honourable Rymer said. “Before Shabbaz passed, that was a project that he always wanted to get done.”

He explained that the project is intended to benefit residents, visitors, tourists and taxi operators by creating another location that can be included in the Territory’s tourism product.

“We would have just signed a contract, so that we are starting to make that a tourist attraction,” he said. “We were put in the parking lot a year ago, and now we’ll be doing the paving and making sure that you can go into the spring, so that people, tourists, residents and visitors can go and see that area where there is always water.”

Improving tourism product for D5

The development is also expected to improve opportunities for taxi drivers, who can take visitors to the site. Honourable Rymer noted that the area includes a ruin, adding historical and cultural value to the attraction. 

“For the taxi drivers as well, they can take the tourists in there,” he said. “There’s a fort—there’s a ruin in there as well.” 

Honourable Rymer said the initiative is part of a wider effort to preserve the Territory’s culture, strengthen community life, and give visitors more experiences beyond the traditional beach tourism product.

“We are trying to keep culture alive here, and community,” he said, noting that there is “always a need for things for persons to do.”

He added that while visitors to the Virgin Islands often experience the beaches, the Territory must continue to identify and develop additional attractions that showcase its history, natural resources and communities.

“Persons coming to the island would have probably seen the beaches, and we need to find things for them to do,” Honourable Rymer said. “That is where we are playing our part and adding to the tourism product.” 

In recognition of Shabbaz’s vision and contribution to the proposed development, Honourable Rymer said he hopes to name the completed attraction Shabbaz’s Lane.