BLUEFIELDS, Westmoreland — In keeping with its thrust to have the island’s public beach parks run by the private sector, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is seeking a lessee for its $12-million Bluefields Beach Park in this coastal community.

The hand-over is expected to be completed by September of this year.

The Beach Park was opened in 1997, two years after work started, and was geared towards boosting the South Coast’s tourism market. The property consists of 11 shops that offer food and souvenirs, as well as change rooms and an administrative office.

The successful lessee will be expected to manage the facility based on their submission of plans for its marketing, maintenance and financial viability.

Over the years, the UDC has developed and leased a number of other facilities including the Long Bay Beach Park in Negril.

“All other beach parks owned by the UDC, with the exception of Ocho Rios Bay Beach and Dunns River Falls and Park, are being operated on a lease/management basis,” the UDC said in response to questions from the Observer. It said, however, that there are no immediate plans to lease these facilities.