Although the Old Airport Strip or “KaKa-Bef” had been marked for closure to renovate the airport since about 2018-2019 under a different administration, this time it seems like it will actually come to pass.
Responses from the general public have been mixed, however, this is the latest in a series of events where Saint Lucians don’t seem to understand its magnitude and impact. Let’s face it, more and more, Saint Lucians are being pushed out of recreational spaces in the name of tourism and development. We’ll circle back to the Drag Strip in a bit but first let’s consider going down memory lane.
Lest we forget, the ongoing battle for the nation’s beaches between St. Lucians and foreign hoteliers. Most St. Lucians reading this have experienced looks of disdain or even cautioning and harassment while attempting to enjoy the beach bordering a hotel. Does anyone else recall the popular local parody show “Lucians!”, where the host presented a “new” map of Saint Lucia outlined in white with the interior coloured black, taking inspiration from the national flag? “The black represents where native St. Lucian people will live and the white,” well, you know . I think this was aired in late 2010 or early 2011 but watching it manifest has been gut-wrenching.
If we consider entertainment venues in the north of the island. Rodney Bay is but a shell of its lively former self. Restaurants are now closed by 10, with a slew of lawsuits pelted at those who dared attempt to keep the bay lively. Nightlife in St. Lucia in the only dedicated “entertainment zone” is practically on life support since it has been eclipsed as a residential zone.
Then there’s the Jazz and Arts Festival—once a massive event, a blueprint for many other regional music festivals. It was taken away from the Saint Lucian people because it was deemed “not profitable” and relocated to hotels for tourists to enjoy. Since its reintroduction in 2023, Saint Lucia has seen record arrivals for the festival. However, there’s been a major disconnect between the organizers and the Saint Lucia National Trust, which stated that the venue will only be allowed to host smaller, more intimate events. After the 2024 festival, we’re left wondering: where will the main stage event for 2025 be held?
As for Lucian Carnival, “nothing sweeter than dat”,Tourism officials beam with pride expressing record arrivals for what used to be a tourism slow season. Of course, the issue of proper venues remains. While I do acknowledge there are other institutional, logistical and financial circumstances that would result in really amazing events being taken off the carnival calendar, the issue of venue availability persists. Promoters have to scramble to find suitable locations for their events that can hold expected capacities.
It is also known that the owners of major hotels absolutely hate events being hosted near their properties and will gladly litigate and intimidate if necessary. Allegedly, the aim next year is for record arrivals, however the question that I and many others have is, weh yall putting dem?
Which brings us back down to The Base, in Vieux Fort. I cannot be the only one to remember how government ministers of various administrations would never miss the photo-op to be with “de fellas on de base”, ensuring news agencies captured them making empty promises, yet sign over deals that would ensure dem same fellas get kicked out with no alternative. The international airport absolutely needs an upgrade, and if it requires that specific space, then so be it. However, you need to provide an alternative, as you promised for car enthusiasts to recreate.
We are inherently myopic as a people, not seeing the bigger picture or often thinking that something won’t affect us, until it does. Not because something doesn’t interest you, does it mean another should not enjoy it. I watched us get kicked off the best beaches on the island.
I watched as the Rodney Bay noise issue unfolded, and only those affected spoke out. I watched as carnival events were displaced, especially sporting facilities, with (selected) event promoters speaking out,and non-carnival goers found joy in their demise. Now, car enthusiasts are facing a similar issue and non-car enthusiasts mock their cause. I’m left wondering, which recreational area is the next to go in the name of tourism and development.
Is recreation only a viable investment when it benefits the tourism industry? Are Saint Lucian nationals, regardless of social class, deserving of designated recreational spaces? Is there, perhaps, a correlation between high crime and lack of recreational spaces?
Perhaps it is time to prioritize recreational zones, with proper planning, parking and acoustics. Or maybe we can consider assessing an approach to tourism that doesn’t involve St. Lucian people sacrificing any semblance of enjoyment they have, for tourists. You know, consider putting us first.
