Community centres available for public use

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced that several community centres across the territory are now open and ready for public use.

The Long Trench Community Centre, Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada, and the Christiana Gertrude Warner Community Centre at Purcell Estate are now available for approved activities. These include meetings, weddings, birthdays and retirement celebrations, camps, religious gatherings, workshops, and other events that follow established guidelines.

“Community centres are vital spaces for bringing people together, fostering social connection, and supporting local development,” Permanent Secretary Tasha Bertie stated. “We are pleased to see so many of these hubs becoming active again, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we finalise arrangements for others,” she added.

While repairs to the East End/Long Look and Cane Garden Bay community centres have been completed, the ministry said additional administrative and operational requirements must still be addressed before they can fully reopen. Updates on their availability are expected in the coming weeks.

The West End Community Centre is partially accessible and is currently used by the Carrot Bay Senior Programme. As a result, it is available mainly for smaller events of up to 75 persons, with bookings reviewed individually. Similarly, the Valerie O Thomas Community Centre at Sea Cows Bay remains the temporary home of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre during school hours. Outside of those hours, it can host events for up to 50 persons, subject to approval.

Members of the public must make bookings through the Social Development Department and follow the Community Centre guidelines. These include rules such as prohibiting decorations on walls, banning smoking and controlled substances, and ensuring noise levels remain moderate, particularly during business hours.

Other rules require that trash is properly disposed of, vendors stay outside the centre gates, and keys must be returned by 9 am the next business day. Misuse or loss of keys will incur a $100 replacement fee.

“No booking is confirmed until a signed rental contract and deposit are received,” the ministry reminded.

Rental pricing is available upon application and varies depending on the centre and the type of event.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it remains committed to “improving the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands” and thanked the public for its continued support.