MP and Hotelier David Dodwell won the lease to revamp Daniel?s Head Tourist Resort last night in the House of Assembly.

Mr. Dodwell was absent from the House but Housing Minister said the IRC-Sandys Limited, which is led by Mr. Dodwell and Russell Urban, will become the new tenants.

The former tenants, Excel Legacy Corporation, based in San Diego, went bankrupt in 2002 and the resort has been in receivership since March 2002.

The Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC) has an agreement with IRC-Sandys Limited to reopen the 96 room resort, said Mr. DeVent.

?The agreement is subject to certain conditions including the developer obtaining financing that is satisfactory to the BLDC,? he added.

Mr. DeVent told the House that: ?The resort is expected to open in May 2005 and the terms of the new agreement are the same as they were for the previous developer. ?Therefore, BLDC?s base rental income and the percentage rental clause will remain the same,? he said. The lease term is for 54 years with an option to renew the lease for a further 35 years, the House heard. ?The base rent will be $231,844 per year with an annual increase based on the change in consumer price index,? said Mr. DeVent.

Both Mr. Dodwell and Mr. Urban have extensive experience in the hotel industry. Mr. Dodwell is the president of the companies that own The Reefs Hotel in Bermuda and the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis. Mr. Urban is the international president of the Cornell Hotel Society, the hotel industry?s strongest alumni organisation.

Mr. DeVent said that the eco-resort will move to a concept that is ?fun and water-centric?.

?The company intends to spend $1,500,000 to enhance the tent cottages and the property,? said Mr. DeVent. Upgrading to the resort will included a variety of things to help improve the recreational and amenity package for visitors. The existing pool will be adorned with colourful lanterns and comfortable outdoor furniture. The tennis court will remain and the fences will be decorated with colourful landscaping vines and trellises.

Outdoor beach cabanas will house spa services and a children?s programme will be implemented.

The programme will take advantage of the natural elements of the site and Bermuda?s west end, as well as the ocean. Land activities such as croquet, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and mini-golf will be an added asset. Nature paths will be created ? leading to the beaches and to all the tent cottage units, said Mr. DeVent. Each of the units will adorn Bermudian names and the existing WWII watchtower will be turned into a small museum. One or two of the existing buildings will be converted into a local store and consideration will be taken into leasing space to local artisans for their shops and boutiques, said Mr. DeVent.

An indoor games room and video entertainment centre will be added. And water sports will become a focal point on the beach.

MP said: ?We are sad in the West end that the Eco-tourist area didn?t take.?

However, he is optimistic about the new plans for Daniel?s Head.

Party Whip applauded Government for being ?transparent? with the Daniel?s Head lease and said what a contrast it was from Stonington?s lease.