SEPTEMBER, 2008 BALA BEACH RESORT SITE VISIT
Bala Beach Resort is beginning to show evidence of progress. I visited the site on Sunday, September 14th.
The drive from my hotel on Via Espana was not difficult, but changes in one way streets in Panama City meant a little research had to be done first.
The route had not changed much, but construction still continues on the Panama - Colon road, so be prepared for delays. It sure will be nice when it is finished!
Finally the MacDonald's on the left and the Rey supermarket on the right marked the place to turn right to Maria Chiquita. I watched for the cemetary on the left that Karen at the Bala office told me to watch for and turned left. A government project sign at the intersection marked the road loactation. These signs only show up after a development has obtained government environmental permits.
The access road had a good quality gravel base and bypassed the center of Maria Chiquita. It passed through the west edge of the village before turning along the beach to cross the small bridge to the project site. The final hill leading through the village had some impressive gutters installed but will need more gravel as some erosion was evident.
Even on Sunday, there was movement on site. A guard kept an eye on the site and an equipment operator was working with the trackhoe to clean and level part of the project site.
After taking a few pictures, I went for a long-planned hike along the beach (see "Bala Beach Safari" Post)
After returning to the project site, having been re-invigorated by a cold drink from the nearby shop downtown and a nice swim I took the remaining pictures and began the drive back to Panama City.
A medium sized trackhoe, a dozer and a roller (used to compact soil) were all present. You will see in the pictures that the level area at the base of the small hills has been cleared and further leveled. A large privacy fence, commonly used in developments in Panama was erected. The previously existing beach facilities looked like they were being used to provide some initial facilities for workers use. All-in-all it was impressive to see the changes in preparation for the beginnings of construction.
It looks like further excavation will be needed to level the grades for the foundations of Buildings 1 to 5. Those of us who have signed on the dotted line to purchase a pre-construction piece of paradise should be pleased to see this progress.
Although I could not see exactly where the bridge had been reinforced, it looked sound and ready for construction traffic.
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