PM Skerrit questions $4.5M renovation of Arawak House of Culture, proposes new site

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is advocating for a complete relocation of the Arawak House of Culture, the state of which has been the subject of some public contention in recent years.

His call came during a press conference recently.

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.

Since then, the road to renovation of what was the main public theater venue in the country has come under scrutiny by prominent voices in the arts community.

Currently, the prime minister is positing that seeking rehabilitation of the historic structure is futile, alluding to the potential of it becoming a money pit.

“In respect to the Arawak House of Culture, the reality is, my view is that, and I’ve said so before, that we should not have pursued the repairs of the Arawak House of Culture,” he remarked. “It’s an old building, there is no parking  for patrons.  It was built for a period in time and, to me, once you start touching an old building, problems will keep piling up.”

He continued, “When you’re going to touch an old building your contingency must be even higher than the actual construction cost.  You just do not know what’s going to happen. You understand? So, as they seek to do something, a problem comes up.”

Skerrit explained that the Ministry conducted a comprehensive review of the necessary actions for the Arawak House of Culture and received a report from the Ministry of Public Works stating that $4.5 million dollars is needed to renovate it.

“The lighting, you have termite infestation there,” he revealed.

His argument is that new land should be acquired to build a new, modern Arawak House of Culture.

“Let’s find some land somewhere, in the Canefield area, somewhere in Roseau and build a new facility,” he stated. “A modern facility where we can have a coffee shop, we can sit down and have coffee…you can have something to eat…”

He continued, “We have to think bigger. This thing about trying to fix an old thing doesn’t make sense.”

Skerrit went on to add that his suggestions include having a more broad-based committee of enthusiasts and activists. “And I think the ministry invited some people to visit and so they had an appreciation of what was taking place, but I think we need to sit down within the public service and engage other stakeholders to determine what we do.”

“Do we, for posterity, keep the Arawak and spend $4.5 million or do we look for a new location and do something that can last us for the next 40 years?” he queried.

This follows April 3, 2025, when Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, then 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 had been completed, as part of the planned overhaul of the facility.

The Government of Dominica signed a contract on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 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 was expected to serve as a venue for national events, particularly during Independence, DOMFESTA, Carnival, and Emancipation celebrations.

At the time it was explained that the extensive rehabilitation would include complete restoration of the external and internal structures, including the roof, stage, seating, flooring, foyer, and air conditioning.

Additionally, the reported intention was to install a new sound and lighting system and artistic indoor and outdoor décor.