November 5th, 2025, marked a very special and rewarding day for Hon. Allen M. Chastanet with the official opening of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Headquarters at the Orange Grove Plaza.
It is worth recalling that the site of the former derelict Daher Mall had stood as an eyesore for nearly thirty-five years. Both UWP and SLP administrations had oversight of the project, yet neither took decisive physical action to transform the area.
Few St. Lucians may remember that approximately fourteen years ago, under an SLP administration, the government took financial control of the project, paying off the bank in the sum of EC$40 million. During that period, the government continued servicing the loan—funded by taxpayers’ hard-earned money—without tangible progress being made.
It was not until 2016, when the UWP administration returned to office, that meaningful progress began. Under the leadership of Hon. Allen Chastanet, the Orange Grove Plaza was finally completed through an innovative BOLT arrangement—Build, Occupy, and Transfer—with the management of Blue Waters. This strategic agreement facilitated the revival of the long-abandoned site, transforming it into the modern Orange Grove Plaza, which today proudly houses the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Headquarters.
The new headquarters is a state-of-the-art judicial complex, featuring three courtrooms, one grand court, fourteen judges’ chambers, a lounge area, conference rooms, a library, training rooms, and several modern upgraded facilities. It stands as a symbol of progress and innovation, reflecting a clear commitment to excellence in justice and public service.
In addition to the court facilities, the complex also provides space for over 800 students being trained for employment in the call centre industry, adding a dynamic educational and economic dimension to the development.
This achievement embodies what Allen Chastanet represents for Saint Lucia—a forward-thinking leader driven by vision and results, not by the divisive rhetoric often used to distract from progress. His vision continues to be reflected in the pursuit of a state-of-the-art hospital, a world-class international terminal at Hewanorra, a top-tier horse racing facility, and a cruise port for the south.
Let us hope that, when the time comes, St. Lucians will make the right choice at the polls—a choice that supports progress, vision, and nation-building.