The Royal Naval Dockyard is the jewel in Bermuda’s crown — strategically and historically very significant to the Royal Navy and now very significant to the island as a cruise ship transport hub and tourist attraction.

Next year, it is to have another strategic role — that of host to the America’s Cup as the Event Village emerges on Cross Island, nine acres of reclaimed land at Dockyard.

Here at the West End Development Corporation, we could not be more proud or more excited at the prospect of playing a key role in what is one of the biggest and most historic sporting events in the world, and the largest event ever held in Bermuda.

Put quite simply, it promises to be a game changer for Bermuda.

It does not seem that long ago that the plans to reclaim the land at Cross Island were just drawings and it is amazing to think what has been accomplished there in a relatively short space of time.

Wedco had always intended to press ahead with the work, but we were delighted when it was chosen to be the venue of the America’s Cup Event Village.

Although, there is a chance that the America’s Cup could return, we have not let that stop us looking to the future and the Cross Island Legacy Committee, aided by Deloitte, has been diligently doing its work to suggest future uses for the land.

We expect to see the committee’s recommendations soon and Wedco has committed to including them in future RFPs for Cross Island. We have also committed to being as transparent in the process of selecting a future use for the area as we possibly can be.

Cross Island is not the only work that has been ongoing — this year, we estimate that we will spend in excess of $10m on buildings within the Royal Naval Dockyard.

The America’s Cup is the stimulus that Bermuda desperately needed and we are determined that while the eyes of the world are on us Royal Naval Dockyard will prove that it is still a jewel in Bermuda’s crown.

By the way.

There seems to be a rumour that Royal Naval Dockyard is shutting down while the America’s Cup is being staged. That could not be further from the truth! We cannot wait to see thousands of people coming to see the racing and to enjoy all the facilities we have.