Dewey’s Baycenter scheduled for fall demolition

Standing on the rooftop deck, watching a family enjoy the new infinity pool and looking out into Rehoboth Bay, Ryan Kennedy said it’s great to finally see the Lighthouse Cove development in Dewey taking shape.

Until now, said Kennedy, Lighthouse Cove marketing director, there’s been a lot of anticipation about how things will turn out. Now that the pool is open, he said, clients and customers see for themselves what the property will look like when it’s completed.

“It’s a resort style way of living,” he said.

The first phase of the project, Hyatt Place, opened in September 2013. The second phase, a four-story portion that included two stories of hotel rooms and two stories of condos along Dickinson Avenue wrapped up construction in early 2016. Most recently, more condos, an expanded parking garage and the rooftop patio and pool were completed.

“The pool has elevated everything,” he said. “It’s literally the No. 1 amenity people have been asking for, and it’s been full every day.”

The deep end of the pool has the red and white lighthouse symbol used to signify Lighthouse Cove tiled into it.

“I helped design that symbol,” said Kennedy, like a proud parent. “It’s my little baby.”

Kennedy said the next phase of construction is expected to begin in November with the demolition of The Baycenter, the decades-old venue that’s played host to thousands of Dewey events.

“We’re planning having a party,” said Kennedy. The details for the Friday, Nov. 3 End of an Era party, he said, have not been finalized.

Recognizing the limited number of venues that can accommodate large groups of people, Kennedy said the Baycenter has certainly served the Cape Region well over the years, but it’s getting old and it’s time for it to be replaced.

“It’s going to be a new and improved version,” said Kennedy of the future Baycenter. “It’s going to be something everyone can utilize.”

Kennedy said he expects the improved Baycenter to be ready by summer 2018. He said the goal of the construction is to be as unintrusive to businesses - Lighthouse Restaurant and Que Pasa - as possible through the next phase.

More condos will be included during the Baycenter phase, and, said Kennedy, there’s talk of adding another pool. He quickly added that at this point some of details will be ironed out as construction nears because market demand will determine some of the future amenities.

Editor’s Note: The demolition time frame for The Baycenter has been changed.