In the heart of Liberta Village, in the St. Paul’s constituency, a transformative project is taking shape and is one that seeks to revive skills, empower entrepreneurs and rekindle community spirit. The Leroy ‘Billy’ Tonge Center, the brainchild of the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, is more than just a building; it is a bold reimagining of what a community hub can and should be. At its core, the facility will train young men and women in the critical building trades of joinery, carpentry, welding, surveying, plumbing and masonry; reviving a legacy of craftsmanship that once defined Liberta and the wider St. Paul’s community. But its vision has expanded even further, incorporating a business incubator, agricultural greenhouse and a cultural home for the once popular community steel band, Black Eagle.
This is not just construction. it is community reengineering.
St. Paul’s was once the community of choice where skilled tradesmen built homes, crafted furniture and shaped the island’s infrastructure. Globalization shifted economic priorities and many of these trades faded. The Billy Tonge Center seeks to reverse that trend by equipping a new generation with marketable, hands-on skills. Research from similar programs in Barbados and Trinidad shows that vocational training hubs help to reduce youth unemployment and stimulate local economies.
By aligning training with industry needs,such as Antigua’s booming construction sector, the center will ensure that graduates don’t just learn, but earn.
An idea which began as a simple skills training initiative has evolved into a multifaceted development engine. The addition of a business hub with space for six startups, a conference room and potential medical offices, creates opportunities for entrepreneurship. Small business incubation has been a game-changer in places like Jamaica’s BizBooster and St. Lucia’s Youth Economy Agency, where mentorship and affordable workspace helped fledgling businesses thrive.
Meanwhile, the planned agricultural greenhouse and tilapia fish farm address food security, a pressing issue for Antigua and Barbuda. By supplying local farmers with quality planting materials, the Center will support sustainable farming, much like Grenada’s Agri-Tech Initiative which boosted crop yields through community-based nurseries.
No revival of our St. Paul’sspirit would be complete without music. The Black Eagle Steel Band, the rebirth of a cherished tradition, will have a dedicated space in the Center.
Steelpan music is more than entertainment, it is cultural preservation, youth engagement and even tourism potential. Pan Trinbago’s community programs which turn steel bands into economic and cultural assets provide a practical model.
With final completion set for late 2025, the Center is unfolding in stages, ensuring sustainability. Critical to its success will be:
- Public-Private Partnerships – Engaging local businesses for apprenticeships, as done successfully in Barbados’ Technical & Vocational Training Program.
- Community Ownership – Involving residents in decision making, akin to Dominica’s Kalinago-led eco-tourism projects
- Long term mentorship – Pairing trainees with seasoned tradespeople. This is done very successfully in neighboring St. Kitts
The success of this project, from construction to its operational phase depends on broad based community collaboration. Already commendations are in order for the architects, construction and other sundry workers who have moved this novel project from just a concept through the construction phase. To those who have already volunteered as instructors and to those who are yet to pledge your support, I thank you profusely. its ultimate success depends on our sense of and commitment to our community.
St. Paul’s now has a chance to redefine itself, not just as another community, but as a model for Antigua and Barbuda’s future.
The Leroy ‘Billy’ Tonge Center is more than bricks and mortar. it is hope, opportunity and legacy in action. Let us all support its growth. When our community rises, the entire nation benefits.
