La Pleasure Beach to reopen within three weeks after demolition
Management of La Pleasure Beach says the facility could reopen within three weeks, following the demolition of several structures and businesses at the beach.
The demolition was carried out by the National Security on Friday, October 2, after the Labadi Beach Hotel requested the removal of structures it considered encroachments on its beachfront.
The exercise resulted in the destruction of a number of structures and businesses operating at La Pleasure Beach, prompting management to begin discussions on restoring the facility.
Communications Director of La Pleasure Beach, Abdul Rahman Ashittey, said the reopening timeline would largely depend on how quickly the debris left behind by the demolition is cleared.
Speaking on Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily, Mr Ashittey said management had been informed that the beach would be cleared of the debris within the week.
Once the clean-up is completed, he said, management will reinstall the toll booths and toilet facilities required for the beach to resume operations.
“They have promised this week they will come and clean up the entire beach so that the beach will continue from there. They will just mount our toll booths and then the toilet facility over here. In less than three weeks,” he said.
Mr Ashittey said the three-week timeline was achievable if the debris was removed as planned and the necessary facilities were restored without delay.
He also disclosed that management had begun engaging vendors who operate at the beach on the need to avoid constructing permanent structures when activities resume.
Beyond its recreational activities, Mr Ashittey said La Pleasure Beach had an important financial role in the La community, contributing to the establishment of a development fund.
He questioned how the community would continue mobilising funds for local development if activities at the beach were permanently discontinued.
According to him, management has since engaged the National Security Coordinator, the Regional Minister, the Local Government Minister and the Chief of La, as well as the management of the Labadi Beach Hotel, as stakeholders seek a way forward.
The discussions, he said, are aimed at finding a sustainable arrangement that will allow activities at the beach to resume while addressing concerns over structures along the beachfront.