MP for Castries Central and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Housing and Local Government, Richard Frederick, says he will soon deliver on another campaign promise, removing Sir George William Mallet’s name from Serenity Park.
The late Mallet was a politician who was Governor-General of Saint Lucia and held a number of high offices, including Deputy Prime Minister.
He was the United Workers Party (UWP) MP for Castries Central and died in 2010.
In 2019, Richard Frederick who had broken ranks with the UWP, had vowed to return what became “The Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park,” back to simply “Serenity Park”.
Frederick, then Castries Central MP and Housing Minister in the UWP administration, commissioned Serenity Park in Sans Souci on May 15, 2011.
On February 13, 2019, the UWP government renamed the park as part of activities for the island’s 40th independence anniversary.
The park was renamed the Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park with a plaque bearing the new name.
However, during Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing, Frederick, now a member of the cabinet of the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), disclosed that as of Wednesday, the park will close to undergo some structural changes.
“As long as it is done and it is done well we shall have a reopening of the park and of course we shall rename Serenity Park to its original name,” Frederick stated.
The Castries Central MP recalled that the original name came from a competition among secondary school students.
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“Lo and behold some people that belong to the political directorate figured that we needed to insert some more into a name that was chosen competitively and so they decided to rename it,” the Housing minister stated.
According to Frederick, the upcoming changes to Serenity Park would deliver on a campaign promise reiterated in parliament this financial year.
“That is the construction of an amphitheater at Serenity Park. I’m pleased to announce that construction is due to commence on Wednesday…the contract has been signed, everything is in order and obviously serenity park would have to be closed for the duration of the construction,” he said.
The minister told reporters that he had received the contractor’s assurance that the park would be available for celebrations come Christmas this year.
“The amphitheater will comprise a covered stage so that we can hold performances, theatrical, arts and otherwise and there will also be three vending booths,” Frederick explained.
He added that some popular fast-food franchises would get invitations to operate the booths.
“So hopefully when the amphitheater is completed and the concessionaire booths are completed, we shall do the formal renaming to its original Serenity Park,” he emphasised.
This guy is simply ridiculous! I guess when the other side returns they should change the name from JR Hunte Highway back to John Compton Highway!
Like seriously, this is a priority for the country right now, renaming and reopening a park. I don’t care the George Mallet name is on it but this is what we are going to waste time doing. Why not waste time on renaming and reopening SJH. My gosh, my gosh. Petty politics in this country. At one time it was good 3nough to do and now it’s not. We are setting the wrong presidence in this country and once Richard Frederick is in it, it’s petty, childish, unnecessary. You cannot do anything better for the people of Castries Central? The only business encouraged under your watch are the Dax building (all b3longing to you). One or two foot paths. Aggravate vendor, that is all. As Minister of housing, show your claim to fame. U. Fed up of politics in Saint Lucia. I am now a none voter but I will talk.
That will be a place for zorbees to sleep soon since the mini star acting like a zor bee already
Renaming the park after Mallet was totally unnecessary in the first place, Serenity Park sounds so much better! And also Pigeon Island Causeway rather than the Hon Moses Matalon Causeway, likewise the Thomazo bridge and not ALBA or whatever bridge.
This is beyond nasty, tyrannic behavior. Should he be voted out, a legislation should be voted on and sign into law to remove his name from anything attached to. All plaques and honor, this guy instead of growing smarter he is getting ghetto in the protective care of the SLP. Kick this man out he will cost you the election coming. St. Lucia most disgusted politician.
REALLY my goodness this guys habe no shame
I guess park naming and renaming is the important most urgent issue in Saint Lucia at the moment. Petty politics alone these politicians know how to play. Secondly, why is a green space being surplanted by an amphitheatre? Why would you remove a green space that should be made even more greener to encourage wildlife and people to enjoy the space and put a concrete amphitheater in its place in the heart of the city?…now I have no problems with having an amphitheatre. I think it’s a good thing which will encourage the arts but it should be located somewhere else. It’s ridiculous to remove a park which is already in existence to erect something made of concrete. It would be interesting to see the design of the amphitheatre….Thirdly, why isn’t Castries made a garden city? With more trees for shade and spaces for people to enjoy? These poor ideas exhibited by our politicians shows the lack of foresight….but renaming a renamed park is as far as the thought processes go…..I am sick of these incompetents.
nonsense alone dem fellars doing .vote this fool out come next election
That’s the performance he brags about competing with the mayor to undertake ccc projects
The name should not have been changed in the first place. Honor the child who won the competition by keeping the original name. People like to make things too political. My personal opinion is that the child’s name should be engraved somewhere on that mallet . The person or party who first changed it should have gone to do something more meaningful instead.
Hear the jackasses complaining about a COMRADE NAME that had no business been there to begin with…… all the names on public taxes payers property NEEDS TO STOP…..: gwwaan Fredricks take it off… Serenity Park that’s it..,,, Pigeon Island Causeway that’s it….Gros Islet Castries Hwy that’s it….you don’t fools post how better the park will be to have an amphitheater, so they can have jazz and other cultural events there, Oh no no no no no no no we don’t give a cats meow about that HAVING THAT NAME IS MORE IMPORTANT yes yes yes George Mallet how dare he. Chooops !
Why did the park had to be renamed to include a politician’s name in the first place? Wasn’t it pettiness and smite to begin with?
Wildlife?!! Eh beh bon
Is this the only campaign promise they can fulfil? I am beyond sick of this man and his petulant behaviour.
I truly believe that Pierre has a heart for the people, he may not be the brightest but he cares about his people. But RF will be the cause of his (Pierre,s) downfall.
Why not fix the SAB, the Vigie Playing field. The stands could act as an amphitheater, but fix the stands so the young sports men and women could have a place to sit and shelter. SMH.
Crazy!! When Will politicians stop with party and petty politics 🙄😒 redirect these monies to road works!!! Fix the craters… not just patch until the next heavy rain…. so our vehicles are not destroyed daily .. smh
@Sumo you overgrown Jackass the nerves…….oh “he is not he brightest “…….and who since St Lucia’s independence was “brighter “ ? Your level of freshness and asinine qualities mimics that of another competitive Jackass The Classic Oh Really. There were great minds that has contributed to the development and growth of our nation and PJP does not fall short as the least brightest you fool,
There was no damn reason to change in the first place. All of you complaining now said nothing when the previous government changed it with no reason
While the country sinks, these pol-tick-ians are out here playing petty games instead of doing real work.
While Helen of the West becomes Helen of the Wild Wild West, these poli-tick-ians are out here playing petty games. Both sides stink!
Richard Fredrick you think you are the boss of all lucians..but tan tor tan tor..only division only you putting in st.lucia useless human being..pjp you not ashamed you have mate in your cabinet sad st lesi fini
The amphitheater is a great idea however the location!,,,,!!….?.. why not put it in a more open area like the Viji playing field is Correct …or put it facing the water so the people are facing the bridge….The design of this new theatre looks too small like only a small band could squeeze back there from sheltering from heavy rain downpours….where would the people watching these shows get shelter on the bridge?… and on a next note…. RF that jacket you have on in this announcement is so pimped out, guido it’s embarrassing representing St Lucians SMPH wow!!!
I really cannot believe that of all the issues facing St. Luia, the government will create an issue over the name of a park. Doesn’t the name The Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park has Serenity Park in it? Really and truly, do people say, “The Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park” or just simply “Serenity Park”.
Now here’s the problem – UWP will get into power one day and would want to retaliate. Would it be ok, as someone said to rename the Julian Hunte Highway? While I will not agree, I think it will be fair play.
SLT you are a disgrace when it comes to political biasness. I posted a comment which was not offensive to anyone about the situation. My closing statement only advised the PM to get rid of Richard before he causes the party to lose the next general election and my comment was removed. I guess Richard pays your salary.