Residents of English River have organised a protest on the 6 of August 2025 over the loss of their long-standing community centre, a facility they say played a vital role in youth development, recreation, and cultural activities.
Hon. Andy Labonté, Member of the National Assembly, expressed disappointment at the way the centre was transferred out of the community’s hands. “People already know this centre was a place that served the community, including the youths who came for recreational activities,” Labonté said. “As soon as the district came under my supervision, we received information that the centre was no longer ours. From then on, the people became frustrated because they felt it should never have been sold to a private partner, but instead left for the community.”
Labonté also emphasised the historic value of the site, noting that it was once used as a “langar diri” (a traditional rice storage facility). He criticised the lack of transparency in the process, saying, “It’s difficult to know exactly how it happened, but we all know it was first for the district, then it was under the SPPF political structure, and later sold off. That is why we are protesting. The community needs a centre; it is a priority. Either the owner returns it to the government for compensation, or another negotiation takes place.”
Community members echoed these concerns. Marie-Ange Joubert and Natifa Benoit, who joined the protest, accused presidential candidate Patrick Herminie of downplaying the youth’s role in the centre’s history. “We came to voice out that Mr. Herminie lied when he said we forgot about the youths and only focused on the elders,” they said. “This was the place where we learned to dance kontredans, sing romans, and recite poetry. We had our football field, our football team, our volleyball team, everything. But where is our place today?” The two recalled that since the 2020 elections, the centre had been hired out for religious activities and later sold. “Now we don’t have a football field, no basketball court, nothing for our youths to develop themselves or to keep them away from negative influences,” they added.
The protesters insist that restoring a community centre in the district is urgent, as it would provide much-needed opportunities for young people and preserve the area’s cultural and historical heritage.
