The people of Grand Bay and Dubique gathered in high spirits for the commissioning of the new Grand Bay Multipurpose Facility, a project long anticipated by the community and finally brought to completion with the support of the Government of Dominica, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). The event, marked by prayers, speeches, and cultural performances, celebrated not only the building itself but also the resilience and unity of the communities it will serve.
Father Darren Abbas opened the ceremony with a prayer of dedication, asking that the facility be filled with “inspiration, support, and a welcoming atmosphere” and become a place where lives are enriched and communities strengthened. His blessing set the tone for a ceremony that reflected gratitude for the hard work of many institutions and individuals who contributed to the project’s success.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development, Letitia Lestrade-Wyke, delivered the official welcome. She emphasized the facility’s importance as part of the government’s wider efforts through the BNTF. “It has been a long-awaited moment, and it is with a great sense of accomplishment I welcome you to the Grand Bay multipurpose facility,” she said, noting that it was one of seven projects under the current BNTF programme, with Grand Bay being the second to be fully completed.
Project Manager of the BNTF, Matthew Carrette, outlined the specifics of the work carried out. Construction began in September 2024 at a cost of EC$870,256.62 and involved the complete renovation of a two-story concrete structure. The ground floor includes an expanded village council office, a library, a conference room, a kitchen, and facilities designed for accessibility, while the upper floor houses an events hall that can also serve as a hurricane shelter. “We trust that the facility will always be kept in good condition. You are now the safeguard of this very important facility,” Carret told the community.
Parliamentary Representative for the Grand Bay Constituency, Minister Vince Henderson, described the project as a fulfillment of years of effort. He praised both former and current council members for their persistence, while urging that the building be integrated fully into the community’s life. Henderson also highlighted the shelter aspect, stressing its importance for disaster preparedness. “You have a facility that is what a modern hurricane shelter community facility should be,” he said, pointing to accessible washrooms, ramps, and other inclusive features.
Minister for Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development, Gretta Roberts, spoke with pride about the facility’s completion in record time. Construction started in September 2024 and was completed by April 2025. “This is one of the seven projects that we have started from September … and if a building like this was in my constituency … I would jump for joy and let the whole world know,” Roberts remarked, underlining its multi-functional design, which includes spaces for adult education, cultural activities, and social services.
The event also featured cultural performances, with Grand Bay’s own Tradibelle Cultural Group entertaining the crowd, reinforcing the village’s reputation as a cultural capital.
Chairperson of the Grand Bay Village Council, Cleo Leatham, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Government of Dominica, the Caribbean Development Bank, the BNTF team, consultants, contractors, and especially the people of Grand Bay and Dubique. “Good things come to those who wait. Though we have waited for so long, nonetheless, we have accomplished our goal,” she said.
The ceremony concluded with the ribbon-cutting and blessing of the facility, followed by a tour. As bookings for events were already being made even before its official opening, the multipurpose center is expected to quickly become a hub for community development, education, and culture in Grand Bay.
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