A once-ordinary public gathering space in Monchy, Saint Lucia, has been reborn as a dynamic, youth-centered community hub, brought to life through a collaborative effort between the Sandals Foundation and the Gros Islet North Youth and Sports Council. The $27,000 Monchy Courtyard Beautification Project has delivered far more than cosmetic upgrades: it has reshaped the space into a welcoming area for athletic activities, social connection, and constructive youth engagement, with a striking new community mural and fully renovated interior and exterior walls.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, emphasized that the project extends far beyond basic beautification. What began as a simple upgrade to a shared public area has been turned into a lively gathering spot where young people can spend time recreationally, and local residents can build a stronger shared sense of community pride, she explained.
Funding for the initiative was sourced entirely from proceeds generated by weekly Friday night street party tours operated by three Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia: Sandals Grande St Lucian, Sandals Halcyon Beach, and Sandals Regency La Toc. Local execution of the renovation work was led fully by the Gros Islet North Youth and Sports Council, putting community leadership at the center of the transformation.
Sanjay Mitchell, president of the council, framed the renovated courtyard as a tangible example of what can be achieved when cross-sector community partnerships and intentional youth leadership align around a common goal. “This is not just a physical upgrade to a public space,” Mitchell noted. “It is a direct investment in our young people and the long-term future of this community. What was once just a functional meeting spot is now a vibrant space for recreation, creative expression, social connection, and collective pride. The refreshed courtyard and its central mural send a clear, powerful message: our youth matter, and our communities deserve intentional investment.”
One of the project’s most celebrated features is a vivid, large-scale mural designed and created by local Saint Lucian artist Naja Simeon, founder of Sakey Productions. The artwork weaves together core themes of community unity, local cultural identity, and positive youth growth, anchoring the space’s mission to reflect the community it serves.
At the official handover ceremony for the completed project, Filius Laurent, General Manager of Sandals Regency La Toc, highlighted that the initiative is part of a long-standing, broader commitment from Sandals Resorts, delivered through the Sandals Foundation, to strengthen communities across the Caribbean, uplift youth development, and support local creative talent.
Theona Edan-Clifford, the Sandals Foundation’s Project Coordinator for the Eastern Caribbean, expanded on the purpose of the redesigned space. “Shared spaces shape how community members feel, connect, and grow,” Edan-Clifford explained. “Through this project, Monchy now has a courtyard that reflects the community’s inherent pride, local creative talent, and untapped potential. It is a space where young people can play, residents can build connections, and local art tells a story of unity and hope.”
Looking ahead, long-term stewardship of the space will remain rooted in the local community. The Gros Islet North Youth and Sports Council will continue to involve local young people in ongoing maintenance and upkeep work, an approach designed to ensure the space stays active, well-cared for, and owned fully by the community it serves.