Before Office Hours in Dolphin Discovery Cayman

March 20, 2009, Grand Cayman – Over 380 people enjoyed what one guest dubbed, “one of the best BOH events I’ve ever been to at a really remarkable facility,” while mingling with other Chamber of Commerce members at the Thursday evening event held at Dolphin Discovery Cayman. The record number of attendees were welcomed by Chamber President, Stuart Bostock who commented how, “pleased the Council and I are that the owners have decided to join the Chamber of Commerce and to host this popular networking and business development event to showcase their multi-million dollar investment to the membership.”

The journey to open the facility started over 12 years ago until formally opened on December 15, 2008. Since that time the business has shown growth and potential and the facility has welcomed local residents, hotel/condo guests, cruise ship passengers, physically and mentally handicapped persons and many school children have already enjoyed the wonderful educational experience provided by swimming with the dolphins through special programmes created by DDC.

The park itself features a lagoon that is 210’ feet long by 115’ and 12’‘ deep at its deepest point, and holds 2.5 million gallons of water. Over 12 million gallons of water are pumped per day equating to some 4 and a half transfers of the lagoon each day. It houses one of the most advanced life support systems in the world that has total redundancy. DDC is the most advanced facility of the Dolphin Discovery Family featuring everything from full hurricane design and awareness to a full IP digital based photo lab.

Guests were delighted with the full tour provided to Chamber members enabling them to tour the building which is over 14,000 square feet and features a state of the art fish house, marine lab for the dolphins, trainer’s suite, photo and video lab, gift shop, offices and various other services need to run the operation. The crowd was additionally wowed by the trainers who provided a short dolphin show with a wonderful narrative provided for the guests. The entertainment concluded to resounding applause that was perfectly timed was as the sun set to the west.

Gene Thompson, co-owner of the DDC noted that, ”at a cost of some US $9 million we have invested for the long term future of the Cayman Islands with a view to work, contribute, and grow with our beautiful islands. We have partnered with CTF to provide a joint marketing programme and are working with various other organizations in the tourism industry to do our part to improve the quality of our tourism product. We are faced with many challenges from other locations in the Caribbean and our remit is to be the best facility of its kind in the Caribbean and we strive to do this every day with Customer Service first, value and physical appearance of the facility.”

In closing Mr. Thompson thanked, “a few people that have been very supportive through this project. Firstly I would like to thank Almightly God for strength to continue to fulfill this dream, The Government of the Cayman Islands, the department of Agriculture, the Cayman Turtle Farm and Joey Ebanks, Clan Construction, Mr. Ken Hydes of Midas Consulting and last but by no means least, the Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to host the event.”