A new beach park officially opened in Gros Islet on August 15, promising to create opportunities for vendors and serve as a centre for entertainment.
The facility includes an administrative building, concessionaire spaces, a playground and children’s entertainment area, an ice cream parlour and a public toilet block.
Gros Islet MP and Minister for Youth and Sports, Kenson Casimir, said the park will be used for both economic activity and social events. “From Sunday, August 31, every Sunday in Gros Islet will be family fun day at this facility,” he said at the opening ceremony.
The minister outlined plans for weekly events similar in spirit to Gros Islet’s famous Friday night street party. “We’re expecting to have jazz events, carnival events, Gros Islet Day activities, Creole activities, right here,” he said, adding that the aim was to attract families from across Saint Lucia and beyond.
During his address, Simon “Simple”’ Philip, who has championed the idea of building a space for children in Gros Islet since 2006 said, “I must say this district rep, the children will be happy, the children will be satisfied and the concessioners will be operating in that booth,” Philip said in reference to the vending area. “I always say, it’s not just about me. It’s about the people who will operate to gain a little living.”
At the ceremony, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire reiterated additional plans for the Gros Islet constituency, including upgrades to the Reduit ramp. “Over the next few days, we will start a project… adding public and vending facilities,” he said.
“When Saint Lucians go to the beach, and you want to use the restroom, where do you go? Throughout Saint Lucia, our beaches have no restrooms, no vending facilities that are organised and structured… We believe we should work on it and make sure that throughout Saint Lucia, you can go on the beach with your family for the day [and] there’s a place to go.”
Hilaire also revealed that 30 moorings will be installed in the Gros Islet bay to accommodate yachts and marine vessels. He said he hopes the move would create revenue opportunities, pointing to Soufrière, where a maritime authority collects fees from moored vessels.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre used the occasion to announce that funding has been secured for the long-mooted reconstruction of the Gros Islet highway, from the Monchy gap to the Cap Estate entrance. “The loan has been approved… you will see very soon the consultants beginning the designs for that road,” he said.
The prime minister also confirmed that work will begin on August 18 on a $23 million bypass road expansion from Vieux Secrieux, aimed at easing congestion along the Gros Islet highway. Earlier this year, Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King said the project would deliver a widened road with proper drainage and improved safety.
