A grand opening was held Saturday morning for the Virgin Islands Port Authority’s long-awaited Lindbergh Bay Beach Public Restroom Facility. It was an event the likes of which haven’t been seen. It was definitely the place to go.
The fanfare was complete with music, dignitaries galore, a catered lunch, and dozens of beach regulars out to celebrate the new bathhouse.
The construction of the public bathrooms at the beach was made possible by a $200,008 grant from the Virgin Islands government, and additional funding from the Port Authority.
After an invocation by Wingrove Fenton and Besha Liburd’s vocals on the Star Spangled Banner and the V.I. March, VIPA board chairman Cassan Pancham praised the efforts of Sen. Celestino White for his vision, badgering his agency and the legislature to get the project under way.
White, whose political skills had facilitated the funding of the facility, brought his considerable performance skills to the podium. Holding a black trash bag, he announced: "This is a bag of shame. It’s filled with tissues, toilet paper, things people left on the beach after they were forced to go behind a grape tree. Today," he said, "it is a bag of pride, the end of picking up all this," a remark met with loud applause.
White lauded the patience of Wendell Walker, of adjacent Walker’s by the Sea restaurant.
"It’s been a depository for people who don’t even buy a glass of water," he said of the restaurant.
Looking over the good-sized audience, White recognized members of the John Brewers Bay Early Morning Swimmers, who are on the beach almost every day at 6 a.m.
White told them that a similar facility for Brewers, on University of the Virgin Islands property, is in the works. Right now, there’s only Porta-Potties, which White said are temporary.
Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. took obvious pleasure in seeing the project to completion. He praised the efforts of the port authority and the perseverance of White, calling the facility part of "keeping the focus on the people."
"The bath house is a testament to our people, to enjoy our natural beauty," deJongh said.
The governor also lauded VIPA’s selection of local contractors, who finished the facility in six months, starting in June 2009. The work was done by Hughes Architects, project contractor Rumina Construction Co., and volunteer painter Karim Anthony, a friend of the beach.
The handsome stucco facility is painted a rich peach tone accented by khaki colored shutters, with a separate white-tiled eight-shower unit
In a bit of showbiz not orchestrated by White, VIPA workers turned on all showers simultaneously with the ribbon-cutting.
Gerald and Aracely Nicholson sat under the shade of the tent, thoroughly enjoying the experience.
"I’ve been coming here for the last 75 years," said Gerald Nicholson, "since I was a child. There was no airport then, no runway, but the same road. I’ve always loved the beach, that’s why we’re here today. Each family, a long time ago, used to have its own little beach tent."
Nicholson, who said they still come here two or three times a week, added, "It’s wonderful, open to everyone. Now, we won’t have to go home in our wet bath suits."
John Harding, VIPA executive director from 1975 to 1991, was pleased. at the enhancement. He said there was actually a bathhouse on the beach that was destroyed in Hurricane Marilyn. However, he said, "There’s no comparison to this. This is wonderful. It’s progress."
Wendell Walker sat in his restaurant, which catered the lunch, a happy man.
"It’s a great idea," he said with a big smile, "very good. More people can enjoy the beach. Now, all we have to do is keep it clean. It’s a shot in the arm."
And, he admitted, "It’s less wear and tear on the plumbing."
And, it’s the only free public beach facility on St. Thomas.
