Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has issued a direct challenge to the Government over the planned sale of the Holetown Civic Centre, declaring that the proposed development threatens not only public access to beaches, but the very freedoms of Barbadians.
Addressing yesterday’s public rally organised by the Marcia Weekes-led People’s Parliament, Thorne described the Civic Centre site and surrounding beachfront as part of Barbados’ cultural and social fabric.
“Beaches are important to Barbadians. Beaches represent zones of freedom and when you take away our beaches, you’re taking away our freedom and when you put up buildings, you’re creating barriers to our freedom. They can keep the buildings but we want our freedom back. We are not afraid.”
He urged those gathered to stand united, regardless of political affiliation.
Controversy
“There are no Bees [Barbados Labour Party] here this morning. There are no Dems [Democratic Labour Party] here this morning. We are free people and we want to spread this freedom across Barbados.”
Thorne also raised concerns about sites he said had historically housed institutions of health and education.
“They’re taking that from us. We want our institution of health back. We want our institution of education back,” he added.
The controversy stems from the Government’s intention to sell the Holetown Civic Centre property, located on prime land adjacent to the beach in historic Holetown in St James. The facility, which formerly housed a clinic and other public services, is currently closed. Community members and cultural advocates have raised concerns that the land could be repurposed for commercial or hotel development, reducing public access to the coast and erasing the historical character of the area.
While details of the proposed sale have not been formally released, reports indicate that the site is under consideration for private development.
Archaeologist Alessandro Giustolisi supported the call for a halt to the
planned sale, arguing that the site might hold important historical and archaeological value not yet studied.
“This country is new, maybe for some, but it’s a very old country,” Giustolisi said. “This is a symbolic point for all this country. We need to do some work here to see what is below. . . If we build a hotel, we are cancelling history.”
He called on the authorities to pause the process and consider an alternative plan that preserves the site while enhancing local and visitor experiences.
“We can build hotels wherever, but this point we have really to be careful. We cannot think always just about the tourists. We need to think about us,” he said.
Businessman Andy Armstrong revealed that he and fellow businessman Peter Downes had been invited to meet with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley to discuss the site.
“She did say at the end, go back to the community and if you can come with an alternative plan for this site, I am willing to entertain it,” Armstrong said.
He added: “If enough people in the community feel strongly about this and feel that something different needs to happen, I believe there’s hope. I believe that we can make a difference.”
(CLM)
