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Heather Kerzner, right, wife of Kerzner International Chairman Sol Kerzner; and Delores Ingraham, wife of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, share ribbon-cutting duties Friday evening during the grand opening of the third phase of the Atlantis Resort as Mr. Kerzner and Prime Minister Ingraham look on. (Photo by Patrick Hanna) |
The festivities kicked off on Friday evening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Cove, the 600-room all suite resort, which is at the heart of the billion-dollar expansion.
Celebrities and VIP guests were treated to performances of hit 70s performers, including Steven Tyler from Aerosmith; popular band Earth, Wind and Fire and The Village People who brought the 2,000 guests to life singing their hit ‘YMCA.’
To bring the disco era to Atlantis, the 50,000 square-foot ballroom was draped in over 8,000 yards of fabric – the kind used in the 70s.
The resort also allowed its guests to become a part of the 70s as a makeover bar was available from which guests were able to collect afro wigs and long eyelashes.
To add glimmer and pizzazz to the room, 595 disco balls were placed in the ballroom with lots of beading and lighting.
The red carpet was laid out for the celebrities dressed for the occasion. The bell bottoms, minis skits, big sleeves, dresses, platform shoes and boots were all a part of this big night.
Some of the guests included basketball legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, model Cindy Crawford, actress Angela Bassett, record producer Quincy Jones and singer Usher.
Members of the cabinet along with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham were also present for the event.
Chairman of Kerzner International Sol Kerzner was also a part of the festivities.
Mr. Kerzner said it is a great accomplishment to have The Cove open for business.
"It feels great and fantastic to see all these people enjoying this and I feel really good about it," Mr. Kerzner said.
He also acknowledged that there were some challenges in getting the project to this point, but he said he and his team were able to overcome them.
"There were huge challenges, but it is just great to be at this point."
Mr. Kerzner said he would begin to think about what’s next for Atlantis.
He also remembered his son, Howard ‘Butch’ Kerzner, who died in a helicopter crash in the Dominican Republic last October.
Mr. Kerzner said Butch was a big inspiration for the third phase of Atlantis and he said he knows his son would have been happy to see his dream become a reality.
He added that his wife, Heather, also plays an important role in the company in ensuring that their guests are happy.
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