For most Jamaicans, a day at the beach means makeshift stalls, limited shade, and decades-old facilities but the Government plans to change that — upgrading three public beaches in quick succession, led by Priory's Fantasy Beach in St Ann.

The plan for modern facilities comes eight years after initial announcements. The other beaches are Pagee Beach in St Mary and Success Beach in St James, both currently under tender for contractors. Together they form Phase 2 of the Tourism Enhancement Fund's (TEF) beach modernisation drive — a programme that has survived budget and policy cycles.

For Fantasy Beach, the ambition is considerable. The scope of works, as described in the tender, calls for "comprehensive redevelopment of Priory Beach to enhance its functionality as a modern, vibrant public beach destination while maintaining access for traditional fishing activities and community use," with construction phased to allow continued public access where feasible.