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The Rubble of Club O

This question is for those of you currently on the Island or who have recently visited: Is the rubble of what used to be Club O still there? Still there after 16 months with nothing being done? Oh sure they brought in an excavator and a dump truck for a week or so, but nothing else has been done as far as I can determine. Other resorts and businesses have had the rubble removed, finished new construction and are up and running. Not Club O.

When we were there in June, I realized this may well be the end of the resort we all loved so much. It discouraged me and made me angry. I'm still angry that nothing has been done. In fact I am angrier now than I was in June.

Last year my husband and I went to the Island and stayed in a studio next to the Village. We did that for two reasons: to have a good time and to support the Islanders. We did this at the urging of Dr. J. We did have a good time and decided to make a return trip in 2019.

But the longer the rubble of Club O sits there abandoned, the angrier I become.

I think this will be our last trip to the Island, even if the mess of Club O is eventually cleaned up and the resort rebuilt. But the longer it sits there in rubble, the less likely it will ever rise from the ruins. I have seen no encouraging news about the clean up, in fact, no news at all. From all I can tell, the same thing is being done now as was being done when we were there seven months ago—nothing, and we are now a long way from Irma.

So, if any of you recent visitors have news of clean up, please let us know.

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Replies

Given that the corporation that ran the club is bankrupt and a few of the property owners have been in a battle with the others for a decade or more and are blocking the insurance settlement just to screw the rest, I think it's going to be rubble for a long, long time.
Please let us all know if you find a beach to visit that's worthwhile.
It's too valuable a piece of real estate to stay rubble forever. Will it happen quickly? Nope. Will it still be a nudist resort? Hope so, but who knows. But one thing I do know, it will eventually be redeveloped by somebody.
Originally posted by Christa This question is for those of you currently on the Island or who have recently visited: Is the rubble of what used to be Club O still there? Still there after 16 months with nothing being done?

So, if any of you recent visitors have news of clean up, please let us know.

Paragraphs Are A Reader's Best Friend.



We were there for Christmas/New Year. I'll post a full report soon. Sorry for the delay.
To answer your question--Yes, all the rubble is still there. I spoke with Cedric and others--no one had any info. It was heartening to see the new chairs delivered, but I have all but given up on the idea that the Club will be restored. We had a wonderfully trip and spent time at Club O beach everyday. I'll post a report this week. Been incredibly busy since our return to Detroit.
From my understanding there are several reasons that Club O isn't being rebuilt. One is that they are getting screwed by the insurance company in France that is supposed to be paying them reparations and secondly and perhaps more daunting are new zoning laws and zones that have been drawn up by the government in the wake of Irma. The area of the island occupied by Club Orient has been rezoned as a high risk area. Because of this, any new construction needs to be grounded in bedrock. All of the previous existing structures were simply on concrete slabs and not g.rounded in bedrock and we can see the results of that. The fact that they need to be reconstructed to these new specifications means that reconstruction costs will be much much higher. These two facts may prove you right and Club O may indeed be a thing of the past, certainly as it existed before. I hope that I am wrong. If anyone has things to add or correct about what I have written please feel free. This is simply what I have heard.
Sorry you are giving up on SXM. The people and the island is still wonderful, and they still need our help and support.. There is still no beach like it.

Hope you will change your mind and keep visiting.
As I understand Club O 's last post, building permits and plans had been approved, contacts in place and negotiations for expansion going well. Insurance company ready to settle as well but the infighting among the members of Copro has landed the whole mess in the French courts. Disheartening to be sure. Not going to stop us or the 10 other couples we vacation with from returning and enjoying and supporting the island. Club O beach particularly .