Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix has remained closed since September 30, when a fire in its power plant knocked out electricity to the property and displaced 51 hotel guests to other locations.
The blaze started in one of three generators at approximately 10:20 a.m. that day. Firefighters arrived and put out the fire, destroying the affected unit. The two remaining generators and their surrounding structure need inspection to check for heat-related damage before the resort can safely reopen.
The casino portion of the property reopened by late afternoon the same day, after the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources approved a pending request for temporary backup power. The hotel section has stayed dark during an ongoing inspection and assessment phase.
On October 5, officials from the V.I. Casino Control Commission visited the site to assess damage and hear reopening plans from casino General Manager Anton Kuipers and resort General Manager Cusa Holloway Christian. Acting Chairman Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell, Licensing and Compliance Officer Ruthlin A. Hurtault, and a representative from the V.I. Department of Justice's Division of Gaming Enforcement attended the meeting.
The resort has maintained payroll for staff throughout the shutdown, a requirement set by insurance adjusters, government bodies and the generator supplier. Management has prepared a strategy for restoring full operations. The fire caused no injuries.
Hermon-Percell stated that the commission would continue to exercise its oversight duties for the U.S. Virgin Islands casino industry as Divi works through the emergency. She noted that both the casino and resort are economically significant to the territory.
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