The Saint Lucia Red Cross has temporarily shut down its Castries headquarters due to unsafe conditions caused by excessive dust, sand, and noise pollution from ongoing construction nearby. The issues stem from renovation work on the old pavilion roof that has severely impacted air quality and disrupted operations.
In an interview, President Hubert Pierre voiced frustration over the situation, detailing how construction debris blocked drains and blanketed the building in thick layers of dust.
“In addition, about two weeks ago, we just had a big rumble on the field, and when we investigated, they were just sand-blasting the building next to us. Nobody said anything to us,” he said. “All inside the balcony, the whole building was covered in sand.”
Though construction briefly paused to accommodate scheduled Red Cross classes, work resumed the following week. The situation worsened when Pierre was asked to formally notify the construction team of upcoming activities after telling the person in charge that they had planned more classes the following week.
“He said to me the powers that be would appreciate if we would write them a letter telling them when we would be having these classes,” Pierre stated, calling the request “in poor taste.”
A government representative later visited the site and acknowledged the severity of the issue, reportedly stating, “This should have never happened.”
Despite the closure, Pierre reassured the public that the Red Cross would continue serving the community. “Most persons who know how to reach will reach us… I think my number is as common as the numbers of workers here,” he said. “We will never leave Saint Lucians to suffer in any way, shape or form.”
No reopening date has been announced.
