Turnbull Questions Plans for National Cultural Centre
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and Works Minister Kye Rymer. Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s plans to develop a National Cultural Arena in Road Town, questioning the proposed location and describing the project as the Premier’s “party centre”.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and Works Minister Kye Rymer. Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s plans to develop a National Cultural Arena in Road Town, questioning the proposed location and describing the project as the Premier’s “party centre”.
Speaking on NDP Radio this week, Turnbull argued that the land earmarked for the facility, near the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex, could instead serve commercial purposes. “The land next to the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex could be used for big prime commercial space,” Turnbull stated. “I understand that the honourable Premier wants it designated for his party centre… that’s where he keeps the shows and all kind of thing,” he added.
Turnbull questioned the decision to place the entertainment facility in the heart of Road Town and criticised the government’s approach to planning major infrastructure projects. “That’s where you’re going to put something like that in the middle of town? You have to be more mindful of what you do.
The planning that we’re doing right now is not properly done,” Turnbull stated. His criticism followed a public presentation of conceptual designs for the proposed arena, which also attracted concerns from former legislator Shereen Flax-Charles. Flax-Charles questioned whether cultural practitioners and technical experts had been adequately consulted before the designs were prepared. “I think in my opinion they put the cart before the horse,” Flax-Charles stated.
She argued that sound engineers, singers, dancers and actors should have participated in discussions with the architect before the conceptual designs were developed. The proposal has also attracted criticism from People’s Leadership Movement leader Mark Vanterpool, who questioned spending on entertainment facilities while residents struggled with electricity costs and other expenses.
The government signed a design contract for the National Cultural Arena in March 2026 through the Recovery and Development Agency. The facility is planned for land behind the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex. At the contract signing, Premier Wheatley defended the government’s investment in cultural infrastructure, arguing that critics failed to recognise the long-term value of such projects.
Primary source: BVI News