9 Beaches will undergo an $80 million redevelopment and reopen in May 2011.

Premier Ewart Brown and Minster of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess announced the redevelopment along with owner David Dodwell and Nordica Development company owner Stephane Boivin.

Mr. Boivin’s Canadian company has invested in IRC Sandys Limited, which owns the hotel, and will build the new mixed-use facility.

9 Beaches is one of two hotels on Government-owned property; the other is Coco Reef Resort on the South Shore in Warwick. The lease for the 17-acre Sandys property will be made public once it is signed — a move expected to happen within the next two months.

The Premier said: “This deal has come together thanks to the efforts of several participants in a true public/private partnership.

“Working with the resort owners IRC Sandys Limited, the BLDC have fully embraced the efforts of the current owners and new partners, Nordica, in the planning stages of the new development.

“This development is yet another step on the path to revitalising Bermuda’s tourism product to ensure we regain our reputation as a first class resort destination.”

He continued: “This new development is also going to provide jobs during the redevelopment as well as additional jobs once the resort reopens in 2011.

“All indications are that plans are being finalised, details worked out, and ground is expected to be broken later this year.”

This represents the first major hotel redevelopment since Newstead Belmont Hills was revamped and reopened in 2008. The downside is that the hotel will close this summer and not reopen until next May.

See tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.