Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, Gretta Roberts, has announced that the renovation, refurbishment, and restoration of the Arawak House of Culture is progressing satisfactorily and is expected to be completed in the next two months.
She mentioned this new development during the 2025 National Budget debate on Tuesday.
“The long-awaited renovation, refurbishment, and restoration of the Arab House of Culture is progressing satisfactorily…,” she said. “In December of 2024, Mr. Speaker, an award of contract was approved in the sum of $113,583.76 for the waterproofing of the roof, because as you may have heard, we had an issue with the roof of the House of Culture.”
She continued, “This contract was signed in January of 2025, and the work was completed in April with financing from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.”
According to Roberts, the ministry has commenced the process of assessing the electrical works to identify the areas that need to be reviewed and replaced, if possible, just as a safety measure.
“An award of contract has been given for the installation of the ceiling tiles. This, of course, has already been approved by the Ministry of Finance. The entire area has been cleared and cleaned for the installation of the wall and floor carpeting for the seating and stage curtains,” she revealed. “Because as I said before, all those things were already on island. We were just waiting. So, we have to change the doors and paint the external building.”
She added, “And of course, according to our contractors, the target date for completion is within the next two months.”
If all goes according to plan, Roberts said the Arawak House of Culture will be a venue for Dominica’s Independence Celebrations this year.
On April 3, 2025, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who was a guest on the Creole HeartBeat Program, hosted by Ambassador Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles, revealed that work on the roof of the Arawak House of Culture has been completed, as part of the planned overhaul of the facility.
The Arawak House of Culture, which is seen as a significant part of Dominica’s cultural landscape, was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The Government of Dominica on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, signed a contract with Caribbean Building Specialties Ltd. for the Waterproofing of the Arawak House of Culture’s galvanized roof.
The contract, valued at EC$113,000, was signed by Mrs. Gloria Joseph, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, and the company’s Director, Mr. Kamlesh Sharma.
Once completed, the upgraded Arawak House of Culture will serve as a venue for national events, particularly during Independence, DOMFESTA, Carnival, and Emancipation celebrations.
The extensive rehabilitation includes complete restoration of the external and internal structures, including the roof, stage, seating, flooring, foyer, and air conditioning. Additionally, a new sound and lighting system and artistic indoor and outdoor décor are to be installed.
I hope there is money budgeted for a major facelift to the front facade. Currently this is a monstrosity.
Very ugly building