The island's municipal budget for 2002 was approved last Friday, revealing much about where community investments will be made this year. After a flurry of building projects (the new incineration plant, the airport renovation and the new town hall building, or little Versailles, as it's sometimes called) that have recently added new infrastructures to the island or improved on existing ones, the face of St. Barth has changed. By the budgetary looks of it, that change will continue, albeit at a less ambitious pace.
One of the more notable changes in the works is the "development of the Gambier Space", a project that the municipality has been tackling bit by bit for the past three years. It is the space located past Public, and before the existing public parking lot at the entrance of Gustavia. In 1999, a new quay was built with the intention of providing a suitable docking area for the inter-island ferryboats and the cruise ship shuttles. Then, the space was spruced up enough to become headquarters for the island's boulistes, or bacci ball players. The 2002 budget foresees funding to complete the first, rather spectacular, phase of development which includes 27 new parking places, a taxi stand, a small house-like structure for welcoming harbor passengers, and a fish market that will allow local fishermen a centralized spot for selling their catch of the day. The work is scheduled to start in June, after the transatlantic AG2R sailing race event has taken place and after the harbor has been dredged. A permanent headquarters for the Marine Reserve, to be constructed near the Tourism Office, and warehouse space in Public to stock shipped containers have also been budgeted for this year.
Moving out of the downtown area into St. Jean, the community has voted to invest in the sports complex located behind the firehouse. In truth, the former municipal dump looks a lot more like an abandoned lot or a set for a Mad Max film than a sports complex, but that too, say island leaders, will change. The sports complex project, which includes tennis courts, a judo room, an omnisports field, and a playground, is expected to cost the community 8.5 million euros. It's a project that has been on the drawing board for years, advancing no more than a step at a time. A stadium and dressing rooms were inaugurated two years ago. This year, finances have been allocated to embellish the grounds.
What will most likely strike visitors as different is the transformation of the airport area and the reopening of the road that collapsed in November 1999, during Hurricane Lenny. Prior to that time, that road, which can be seen up high and to the left if driving through Public, used to be the major entry into Gustavia. Once the work is finished, the road running along the airport and leading to Public, will have been moved 30 meters to the side so that traffic is no longer in the landing path of incoming planes. The safety issue was first presented in 1990, when the wheel of a small aircraft punctured the hood of a pick-up truck. The airplane landed, minus 1 wheel, at Juliana airport. No one got hurt in the incident, but the call was close enough to send shivers up the collective spine. After a decade of studies, bulldozers hit the site last November, but the road work was interrupted, re-started in December, interrupted, and is still unfinished. Technical disputes have brought work to a halt, and logistical problems have reared their heads, demanding solutions that are not always so easy to find. It will be months before the new road is open to the public. Until then, while idled in their cars at the intersection past the airport, tourists can still have the cheap thrill of feeling the heat of an airplane wheel as it whizzes just meters overhead on its way to touchdown.
Yves Bourel
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
