Water Park for Corozal Town

The Corozal District, despite its tremendous potential for economic growth, has regressed over the past decade with increasing unemployment and rising poverty due to a Government that has neglected its primary needs. Corozal Town, which is the economic center of the district, has seen slow development as well due to a lack of economic opportunities to move the municipality forward. In June 2020 the Corozal Town Council led by Mayor Rigo Vellos received a development proposal for an eco-friendly, world-class Water Park by Belizean investors leading a company named Maximum Water Park.

As the duly-elected, and legally-constituted governing body for Corozal Town, the Council entered into a lease with Maximum Water Park ONLY after the investors carried out the necessary CONSULTATIONS with the necessary regulatory bodies including Public Health (for Health, Sanitation), Department of Environment (for Environmental Issues/Clearance), and Ministry of Natural Resources (for use of 66 feet reserve and sea bed).

The Department of Environment granted a conditional Environmental Clearance to Maximum Water Park on the basis:
a. that the developers enter into a lease agreement with the Corozal Town Council for the use of the public space on Rainbow Beach, Corozal Town.
b. that there are plans for safety with hiring of lifeguards, proper parking, adequate sanitation, and waste management and waste-water disposal systems
c. that the developers CONSULT with the Physical Planning Section of the Lands and Surveys Department to use the 66 feet reserve and seabed.

The developers have been to the named section of the Lands Department on MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (since early August) to carry out the required CONSULTATION for the use of the 66-feet reserve and seabed but have only experienced unnecessary DELAYS brought on by the slowness of the Department.
a. At no point did the Department oppose the project since no construction will take place for the Water Park to operate. They actually agreed to carry out an inspection of the site promptly to assess the required payment since early August. Sadly, an inspector did not arrive on site until Tuesday, September 15th.

On Friday, September 18th, 2020 the Ministry of Natural Resources executed a Cease and Desist order signed by Commissioner of Lands Wilbert Vallejos on the basis that the investors have not received permission, but refusing to acknowledge that the delay was caused by them.

At a time when INVESTMENT, JOBS and ECONOMIC ACTIVITY are much-needed in our community, the Ministry of Natural Resources has decided to play petty politics and delay a project that would have a VERY POSITIVE IMPACT on our struggling economy.

Support this petition CALLING on the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Hugo Patt, to allow the Water Park Development to PROCEED! For the sake of JOBS and POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH for Corozal Town!!