A transformative community development project aimed at building a multi-purpose hub at Tindale Park is moving steadily forward, with land acquisition talks entering their final phase, according to Daryll Matthew, Antigua’s Education Minister and candidate for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP). Matthew made the announcement during a recent appearance on ABS Television’s candidate-focused public affairs programme “Know Your Candidates”.
At the core of the land acquisition process is a planned property swap with a local private family for the 1.5-acre parcel sitting at the upper end of Tindale Road. After months of back-and-forth negotiations, Matthew confirmed that discussions have reached an advanced, final stage that will soon allow the government to take ownership of the plot.
Once the land is secured, the site will be redeveloped into an integrated community hub designed to meet a range of local needs. The centerpiece of the project is a two-story mixed-use building that will serve dual purposes for residents and cultural groups. The upper level will be operated as a public community center, available for neighborhood gatherings, after-school youth programs, and a wide range of community-led events. The lower level will be converted into a renovated, purpose-built bandhouse for the local Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, giving the beloved cultural group a permanent, improved home.
Beyond the central building, the development plan allocates dedicated space to support local micro-entrepreneurs. A cluster of small, individual units will be built to form a small business hub, with capacity for roughly 10 to 12 small operators. Matthew noted that the spaces are designed to accommodate common neighborhood small businesses including barbershops, local bakeries, and other independent trades, creating new economic opportunities for residents.
The project also includes public recreational amenities that are already partially secured. A fenced public playground and open green park space will be added to the site, with all equipment for the playground already sourced through community donations.
Unlike many government-led development projects, this initiative will not rely on direct public financing. Instead, it will be funded through a blended model of private sector donations and community contribution. Matthew explained that he has already held discussions with potential private donors, who have committed to contributing materials such as steel, while local community members will volunteer labor and organize public fundraisers to cover remaining costs.
For Matthew, the Tindale Park project is a key part of a broader push to address development challenges in the densely populated constituency he represents. For years, a severe shortage of available government-owned land has limited the ability to carry out public projects that improve local quality of life, making this community-led initiative a critical step forward. Matthew emphasized that the project is a binding campaign promise should he win re-election, stressing that he would never make a commitment that is not grounded in realistic, achievable plans.