Elmslie United Memorial Church is the most recognised church building in the Cayman Islands. It is about to celebrate 90 years since being constructed on its site on Harbour Drive, George Town, overlooking Hog Sty Bay.

Two years ago it won the Governor’s Award along with Camana Bay representing the old and the new but, as Governor Duncan Taylor said, “These two particular projects although built almost 90 years apart – were (and are) ahead of their time with regards to sustainability and design.”

After years of standing proud it is close to a busy port with cranes and a telecommunications tower just across the road and in 2006 planning permission was surprisingly given to a large restaurant and bar – Margaritaville Grand Cayman – part of the Margaritaville Caribbean franchise.

At Camana Bay, the modern new town, there is everything that is not Caribbean including a 75foot Observation Tower. The structure, however, does match and blend in with its surroundings.

To the surprise, shock and horror of many there is an application before the Central Planning Authority (CPA) from Margaritaville (Cayman) Ltd to erect a “Tourism Attraction” behind the historic church.

Before I get sued for describing something that is painfully obvious not true the description of “Tourism Attraction” is on the “Notice of Application For Planning Permission” as can be seen attached. It looks like an after thought as it has been placed over the top of the rest of the writing where the applicant has to state the purpose of the application:

“An elevator tower approx.. 192ft tall with balloon attraction and deck area. To be known as “Margaritaville Balloon Tower”. To be built above the parking lot at Island Plaza, George Town.”

The elevator tower will fit and blend in very nicely with the port crane but the red balloon on top of it fits and blends in with nothing. Maybe it’s there to float up into the sky one day and carry up the tower with it. People on the platform would certainly have a good view of the Island as it carries them away.

Can you imagine people booking a trip to the Cayman Islands because they are attracted by a metal tower that looks part of a crane and has a red balloon on top.

It is a monstrosity and an eyesore and not the least bit an attraction.

Unfortunately with some of the decisions made recently by the CPA it could get the ‘yes’ nod despite the objections that can only come officially from those within 1,500 ft. radius of the proposed planning application.

Perhaps Elmslie Church can get their parishioners to sign a petition. I know of one who will and her telephone has been already ringing.