This week the public were introduced to the draft version of the AC35 Master Plan as Bermuda Environmental Consulting Ltd. (BEC Ltd) continued the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work for the event.
Acting on behalf of the ACBDA, BEC Ltd conducted two public meetings, one in Hamilton and one in Dockyard, at which they went through the required elements and proposed layouts for the Event Village, including the team bases, media center, race management, berthing for visiting yachts and public access and viewing areas.
This draft Master Plan can reviewed with all the other relevant EIA documents at the ACBDA website (www.acbda.bm).
“The purpose of these meetings was for early identification of potential issues and to ensure that environmental protection and sustainability are key factors in the project design,” says Christine Rickards, Senior Land Use Planner for BEC Ltd.. “Of course in terms of an EIA, the environment doesn’t just refer to the natural environment it also encompasses the human, built structures, as well as social and economic elements”.
Since November last year BEC have been meeting with “virtually every government agency” as well as businesses, NGOs and affected service providers. The feedback from these meetings will be collated and become part of a Scoping Report which directs the work for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will accompany the planning application.
In addition to the physical plans for AC35, the public were also presented with a draft parking plan, along with an overview of the logistics required to deliver the event.
“When we won the bid to host AC35 the government of Bermuda entered into a contractual agreement with the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) which requires that certain deliverables are met,” say Mike Winfield, CEO of ACBDA. “These include comprehensive plans for security, health and safety, transportation, regatta support and much more.
Meanwhile the America’s Cup Endeavour community sailing initiative, along with its partners, has today gifted the use of five of 15 Optimist dinghies, to local sailors.
The boats were donated several months ago in significant disrepair but have been brought back to ‘as new’ condition through the efforts of the ORACLE TEAM USA shore team.
“It’s amazing to see the result of the work our shore and boat-building team put in here,” said ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill. “We’re all excited to get behind the AC Endeavour program and to support local kids getting out sailing.
“Our guys put in a lot of their own time to get these boats into a state where they’re as good as new – it’s unbelievable what a transformation there has been – and it’s great to now be able to pass them along so a new generation of keen sailors can use them.”
Five young Bermudian sailors, who have been inspired by their participation in the AC Endeavour program and demonstrated a desire to continue in the sport, have been selected to receive the Optimist dinghies. They will have the boats for the 2016 season, and be able to sail them out of local clubs on the island.
“We’re very excited to be included in this,” said Sean Soares, whose daughter Samantha 'Sammy' Soares received one of the Optimists. “It means so much to us that Samantha is able to continue sailing this year, as it has become one of her passions.
“Sailing has made a huge difference as the sport teaches so much – confidence, self-reliance, and discipline. It has made a huge impact with Samantha and we are extremely pleased to see this positive outlet available to her.”
"I'm going to name my boat 'redhead'," said Sammy, who said she plans to sail as much as she can this year. "I want to start tomorrow!"
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