Dominica’s iconic cultural landmark, the Arawak House of Culture, has been mired in public debate over its future for years, and now Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has thrown his weight behind a radical new proposal: fully relocating and rebuilding the facility from scratch rather than continuing costly repairs on the existing structure.
The decades-old cultural hub, which long served as Dominica’s primary public theater and a core gathering space for the island’s artistic community, suffered catastrophic damage when Hurricane Maria made landfall in 2017. In the years following the storm, attempts to restore the building have drawn sharp criticism from leading arts figures, who have questioned the transparency and effectiveness of the rehabilitation process.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Skerrit argued that pouring more funds into repairing the original building is a waste of public resources, warning that the aging structure risks becoming an endless “money pit.” “It’s an old building, there is no parking for patrons. It was built for a different period in time, and once you start touching an old building, problems will keep piling up,” he explained. The prime minister added that unforeseen issues always push rehabilitation costs far beyond initial projections, noting that contingency budgets for old building projects often end up exceeding the cost of new construction.
A full technical review conducted by the Ministry of Public Works pegs the total cost of full rehabilitation at $4.5 million, with persistent issues ranging from outdated electrical and lighting infrastructure to widespread termite infestation throughout the building.
Instead of sinking that sum into repairs, Skerrit is pushing for the government to acquire new land in an accessible location near Canefield or Roseau to construct a modern, purpose-built cultural facility. He outlined a vision for a new space that includes amenities long missing from the original building, such as public parking, a on-site coffee shop and dining area, and updated technical infrastructure that can accommodate modern events.
“We have to think bigger. This thing about trying to fix an old thing doesn’t make sense,” Skerrit said, adding that a new facility could serve the Dominican people for the next 40 years, a much longer lifespan than a repaired original building could offer. The prime minister also proposed assembling a broad-based committee made up of public officials, cultural enthusiasts and community activists to gather input from all stakeholders before a final decision is made. “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.
Skerrit’s latest position marks a notable shift from government plans earlier this year. Back in January 2025, the administration signed an EC$113,000 contract with Caribbean Building Specialties Ltd. for waterproofing work on the building’s galvanized roof, a first step in a planned full overhaul. That work, completed earlier this year, was announced by Skerrit during an April 2025 appearance on the Creole HeartBeat Program hosted by Ambassador Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles. At that time, the government outlined a full rehabilitation plan that included restoring the building’s external and internal structures, upgrading the stage, seating, flooring, foyer and air conditioning, and installing new sound, lighting and decorative features. The revamped facility was expected to become the primary host for major national events including Independence Day celebrations, DOMFESTA, Carnival and Emancipation observances.