Anguilla marked a significant milestone this week with the official blessing of the newly constructed Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre.
The ceremony on 18 July brought together religious leaders, government officials and community members to celebrate a new chapter in the island’s culture and arts scene.
Property and investment company Dart, which owns Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, funded the build as part of its partnership agreement with the government.
The US$5 million project took just six months from design to near completion, and while some work still remains, the centre was able to host its inaugural event that same evening.
To begin the afternoon, Governor Julia Crouch, Premier Ellis Webster, and ministers Haydn Hughes and Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers cut the ribbon at the entrance to the public facility.
They then moved to the central grounds of the 35,000 square foot centre where several attendees who were involved the the project gave speeches.
Built in ‘warp speed’
Designer Courtney Morton told attendees he was delighted to have contributed to the centre, and encouraged people to make good use of it.
“This facility was built with everyone in mind – the churches, the schools, the culture… and it’s in our best interests to use this on a weekly basis, if not daily,” he said.
Electrical designer Kasseem Forde said the project was completed “in warp speed” and congratulated the contractors – Leeward Construction and GT Construction.
The work took place safely and reliably, he told attendees, and said the centre is a blessing and has capacity for now and the future.
“The stage is bigger than it was before, the booths are bigger than they were before, the entire edifice is built for us to grow into,” he said.
Beautiful and safe
Governor Julia Crouch called the centre “quite extraordinary” for both the speed that it was built, the vision and the quality.
“It’s a testament really to the extraordinary talent that we have in this island, to the hard work and the determination.”
She said that everybody involved has worked tirelessly to see it “almost to fruition”, and thanked the public service for making sure it is both beautiful and safe.
Crouch concluded: “It’s a symbol of what can be achieved when we join together for a unified course, and we need that spirit at the moment more than ever.”
Bonnie Richardson-Lake, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and Education, shared a note from Tom Sperandeo, Dart’s vice president of development management.
She read: “At Dart, we take great pride in creating places and opportunities and experiences that enrich lives now and for the future generations.
“It has been a privilege to be involved in the project from start to finish and we are happy with the partnership and the relationships that we have been formed along the way.”
Greig Hughes of GT Construction and Denroy Gumbs of Leeward Construction both offered words of thanks to those leading the project and to their employees.
‘We made it’
Haydn Hughes, Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing and Tourism, spoke of the will to build a new cultural centre before the 50th Anguilla Summer Festival.
He told attendees it was one of the hardest things that the government had to do, and members came under severe pressure both internally and externally.
“We made it, ladies and gentlemen, and we didn’t make it only because of the great work of GT Construction and Leeward Construction.
“We made it because you, the people of Anguilla, believed in us and God had us – and if God be with us, who can be against us.”
Premier Ellis Webster said it was five months and one day when demolition on the old cultural centre began, “and out of that rubble, we behold this beautiful edifice”.
He said he was amazed at the speed the centre, that he called “the envy of all of the Caribbean”, was built and said it shows “Anguillian ingenuity”.
“I don’t think any foreign contractor could have done this, as well as it’s done, in the time that it’s done.”
Hub of creativity
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Minister of Education and Social Development, said the speed at which the centre was build is “unheard of in this region”.
“This is the only facility of its type in the entire and Caribbean region. I think I can say that without any contrary opinion,” she told the crowd.
The minister said it is not just for the upcoming festival but a year-round, active cultural and community centre that “caters and facilitates the bridge between the young and the old”.
“The culturally inclined, the poetry lovers, the theatre lovers, the domino players, the yoga instructors, the spiritual leaders – this is the hub of creativity for our island,” she said.
Pastor Denroy Gumbs then gave the official blessing in which he thanked God for the “vision, resources and hands that have brought this dream to fruition”.
He added: “Let this building be a beacon of hope, a sanctuary of learning and a haven of creativity. May it serve as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of your creation.”
That evening, following the blessing, the centre was host to the Lake’s World Gospel Explosion – a free event open to all. Click here to watch a video of the concert.
