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Diahuebs, 17 Juni 2021 AWEMainta 15

Letter to the Editor

Rodgers Beach in Seroe Colorado:

Can we still save it for everybody to enjoy?

Our urgent plea to the Government and the people of Aruba

A public auction was announced in the newspapers by Notary Johnson on May 28, 2021, for the

land lease property of 7,450 m2 with an unfinished condominium project located directly on Rod-
gers Beach that was started in 2008. The auction is to take place on June 29, 2021.

Unfortunately the Board of the V.B.S.C., the association that represents the Seroe Colorado com-
munity, was not given an opportunity to provide input regarding the initial project or this auction,

but we are hoping that our plea to save Rodgers Beach for local and tourist enjoyment will be
heard now.

It should be noted that the ocean area in front of the beach is part of the protected Marine Park
of Aruba, which is managed by the Parke Arikok Nature Foundation. The protection includes the

grass growing on the underwater beach sand very close to the water’s edge and it attracts turtles
for feeding and at times nesting. The small island directly in front of Rodgers Beach is a protected

area by law as well and not accessible to the public as it provides nesting areas for several spe-

cies of sea-gulls during part of the year.

Our intention always has been to make sure that Rodgers Beach remains a tranquil and beautiful

beach to be enjoyed by everyone. With this letter, we ask the government of Aruba and the invol-
ved and responsible authorities to ensure that whoever takes over the project respects the pro-

tected status of the water and vegetation and also respects that the staircase from the road to the

beach as well as the road along the water remain accessible for the public.

In addition, in light of the fact that a 900-room hotel is already being constructed in the residen-
tial area of Seroe Colorado on the edge of Baby Beach, we would support a re-evaluation by the

government and the authorities of the need for a condominium project at Rodgers Beach. Per-

haps a better purpose of the to-be-auctioned building would be a health and wellness facility or
sanatorium.

Our plea to the government and to the political parties that take part in the upcoming elections,

and our call to the local community to support this plea is: Save Rodgers Beach for nature and

for everyone to enjoy!

For additional information or to provide comments,

please email us at associationseroecolorado@gmail.com.
The Board of V.B.S.C./Association of Residents of Seroe Colorado