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Prospect Reef project to be transferred to Financial Services Ministry

The redevelopment of Prospect Reef Resort will soon be formally transferred to the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced. Photo: VINO/File
According to Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Cabinet has taken steps to advance the re-development of Prospect Reef Resort, including the endorsement of the recommendations made by the Prospect Reef Management Company to proceed with the receipt of proposals from interested firms. Photo: YouTube
According to Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Cabinet has taken steps to advance the re-development of Prospect Reef Resort, including the endorsement of the recommendations made by the Prospect Reef Management Company to proceed with the receipt of proposals from interested firms. Photo: YouTube
PROSPECT REEF, Tortola, VI- The redevelopment of Prospect Reef Resort will soon be formally transferred to the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced.

Many governments have promised but failed to redevelop Prospect Reef Resort, which was further damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017; however, Premier Wheatley is determined to see the project materialise.

“Madam Speaker, the subject of Prospect Reef will be transferred to the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation to support effective delivery of this important national project under the investment mandate assigned to the Ministry,” Premier Wheatley stated during the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Premier Wheatley is the Minister for the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation.

According to the Premier, Cabinet has taken steps to advance the re-development of Prospect Reef Resort, including the endorsement of the recommendations made by the Prospect Reef Management Company to proceed with the receipt of proposals from interested firms.

“The company will issue a formal request for proposals to the interested firms in short order,” the Premier stated.

'4-star or higher-rated hotel' envisioned

Premier Wheatley had indicated in October 2025 that redevelopment work on the long-awaited Prospect Reef Resort could begin in 2026.

Government previously said it was seeking firms capable of developing, financing, and operating the resort for a minimum of 50 years—a facility meeting or exceeding the standards of a four-star hotel, offering consistently high-quality service and amenities.

“We envision a four-star or higher-rated hotel, with at least 150 rooms and modern conference facilities capable of hosting up to three hundred delegates and offering exceptional service and amenities catering to leisure and business travellers,” Premier Wheatley stated during his 2nd Annual Territorial Address at Maria’s by the Sea on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

20 Responses to “Prospect Reef project to be transferred to Financial Services Ministry”

  • Blacka (18/01/2026, 14:05) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another scheme to end up like the failed Bank of Asia. Who going steal from our treasury NOW?
    • Hon.L Smith the right choice (18/01/2026, 16:55) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      This is actually a smart strategic move by the Premier. Hon. Lorna Smith has a reputation for getting things done—she’s not just about the talk, she executes and delivers. And because she has real credibility and long-standing connections in the financial world, she’s in a strong position to bring serious investors to the table for a project like this.
      At this point, though, the ball is really in Government’s court. If they want this transaction to happen, they have to make the process workable—clear, efficient, and free of the kind of unnecessary bureaucracy that so often slows these things down.
      And honestly, my real hope is that locals can step up and put together a consortium to buy it. Because there’s something powerful about keeping ownership and opportunity in the hands of people who actually live here and have a stake in the long-term future of the Territory.
    • smh (19/01/2026, 13:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just down the road from Pu$$ers.
  • (18/01/2026, 15:37) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pure talk a bunch of less man that can’t get anything done
  • Wellsah (18/01/2026, 18:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    pass the dutchie
  • ... (18/01/2026, 18:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    U guys already have bids in just hurry up n let it be someone else problem..
  • Facts You Look Up Or Facts You Make Up (18/01/2026, 18:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Y'all negative low vibrational energy have the country stuck on stupid. Damn if you do damn if you don't.
  • WTF (18/01/2026, 21:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Makes complete sense. Ministry of Finance? No. Ministry of Tourism? No. The Ministry for a completely different subject? Of course!
  • Who is taking it over (18/01/2026, 23:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Annette or UPee?
  • Cheese rat and Mouse (19/01/2026, 00:22) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t trust this idea. When the government owns or runs things, they usually fail. We should let Sandals or another hotel chain lease the property. The government should not run or subsidize this industry.
  • strupz (19/01/2026, 01:18) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why not a theme park let's build the country man ....
  • Prospect our solution. (19/01/2026, 04:21) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Premier, get alone and turn Prospect into another Govt complex, with cafeterias You can put your office and financial office, Customs, Immigration, License dept Inland revenue, two large confront rooms there, We will win 1st we will safe Millions annually in rent, with 2 cafeterias, workers won't have to leave to go buy lunch and spend 2 hrs because tdaffic is busy...The money we safe from rent we safe from rent will pay off that loan in quick time with more money in the treasury...Plus we will be getting rent from the cafeterias and a Car wash..Prospect is a big piece of land that can accomodate all of that with a 100 space car park...Its a hard decision because most people Govt pay rent to are financial Election contributors. Put BVI 1st and make that hard decision...Your legacy will forever lived..
  • Hotel and no beach (19/01/2026, 06:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    They don’t work - look at Treasure Isle - we don’t need another like that
    • @No Beach (19/01/2026, 10:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Treasure Isle is the way it is because the owners don't need the money. It's a well-placed establishment that would do very well if it was run by people who understand the hospitality industry.
      • Well said. (19/01/2026, 14:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Treasure Isle has huge potential, but it is not managed, marketed, operated or priced to become a profitable thriving business.
  • TISKTISK (19/01/2026, 08:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    all kind of race, can come and get their Marina and hotel set up private no issue, but we cant get sh** done together

  • Partnership (19/01/2026, 14:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any group of locals interested because any outsider will take one feasibility study and run from that project. This will take some financing just to do the engineering work to control the water runoff from the hills.
    Gatting qualified staff to be able to manage and operate the facility is such a big headache that will negate any return on your investment.
  • Clean up (19/01/2026, 14:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    If them taking 2 years + to complete hodges creek this hotel going take 3 decades and would need refinancing or will be forgotten if a new party every gets (ndp still fighting over power)
  • Malcolm Mark (20/01/2026, 07:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS. WHAT GAD FLY HAS STUNG THE LEADERSHIT OF THIS DAM COUNTRY?


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