This morning, Saturday 2nd May 2015, at 1000hrs we at Borneo Divers Training Institute were very proud to finally break ground on our new upcoming International Dive Academy on Pulau Mamutik, off the West Coast of Sabah.
The project, which has been a number of years in the planning and consultancy stage, has been a painstaking labour of love for the design and project teams who felt very emotional when today, the team finally began construction of the new academy.
For the next 40 weeks, a team of 30 dedicated professionals will transform Pulau Mamutik into a world class Dive Academy for all to enjoy.
Borneo Divers has been operating at the island for some time, yet have always dreamed of offering something bigger and better to the many tourists that come onto the island to enjoy a slice of this tropical paradise.
Whilst continuing to embrace and protect the fragile ecosystem above and below the water, the all new Borneo Divers Academy (phase 1a) is going to offer world class recreational scuba education in one of the most picture-postcard settings of Borneo.
Nestled amongst coconut trees and the swaying palms of the island, the new academy will provide state of the art training facilities for students of all ages and backgrounds.
Group General Manager, Mr. Luke J Cox explained, “Our new facility is designed for ALL patrons of Pulau Mamutik to enjoy. As a PADI Instructor Development Centre (IDC) we are privileged to be part of the global name that is PADI, Therefore, working in conjunction with PADI we have designed a training facility that is second-to-none.
For the ease of our students, the new facility will include an on-site swimming pool for confined water and Discover Scuba Diver sessions as well as our future IDC work. It will additionally house our technical teaching wing, compressor station and mini classrooms”.
The new academy however is designed to include everyone, and is not exclusive just to the diving fraternity. Luke went onto explain, “we will also be incorporating an extremely comprehensive shop, that whilst geared towards divers, will include Sabah souvenirs, a clothing line, snacks and every little thing that you may need when you spend a day on a tropical paradise.
In addition, divers and patrons of Mamutik will not go hungry at the new academy as we have included an ultra-modern kitchen which will serve our customers with a wide range of bistro-fusion style fayre which can be enjoyed in either air-conditioned comfort or alfresco on our outside decking area”.
At Borneo Divers we have been very careful in our construction plans to ensure that a minimal footprint is made throughout our construction period and hereafter which is why our planning has been so meticulous.
Award winning contractors,Tentu Damai Sdn Bhd who will be constructing our new project, have been responsible for the execution of many other regionally famous developments and are very excited to begin work which will take them through the next 40 weeks.
Present at the ground-breaking ceremony this morning were company personnel from both Head Office, the Institute Dive Team, Contractors, Architects and Consultants, including Group Financial Controller, Chew Peck Kim and Group General Manager Luke J Cox.
Following a short prayer and speech, the team then posed for the cameras as together like one family, they broke the ground for the forthcoming project to begin.
“Whilst the next 40 weeks are going to be hard work, I believe all involved in the project are going to have good fun in bringing our vision into reality” said Luke, who continued to say, “we know that there is going to be some disruption to the patrons and guests of Pula Mamutik whilst we go through this transition, but I firmly believe that the end result will be simply stunning”.
From all at Borneo Divers, we wish out construction team the very best of luck in the coming weeks.
Whilst there is going to be a little disruption, all guests to Borneo Divers Training Institute should be advised that “it is business as usual” for the diving team. We are still diving, we are still teaching and we are still here having fun, so come along and play with us…. and have a sneek peek at the academy too!
Stay tuned for our monthly updates as things begin to progress in this exciting chapter in Borneo Divers history!
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