Soon the kick-off of the new Thelbert Carti stadium

Nine years after Hurricane Irma, the project of reconstruction of the Thelbert Carti stadium will soon enter its concrete phase. Meeting on Tuesday in Quartier d'Orléans, elected officials from the Collectivity, state services, and project partners have presented the outlines of this future international-level sports facility, the first demolition work of which will begin before the end of the year.

With a total budget of 15.003.000 Eurosfinanced by the local authority (€8,503M), the State (€4,7M), the European Union (€1M – ERDF) and the National Sports Agency(€800.000) The future stadium will meet CONCACAF standards and aims to put Saint-Martin back on the map of major Caribbean competitions. Delivery is expected in September 2028Activities will be able to continue at the current stadium during the first year of construction (2027).

A facility open to its neighborhood

The project goes far beyond the purely sporting aspect. The stadium will become a true community hub, connected to a redesigned public square and a new community center. The entire complex has been designed as a unifying space, accessible to schools, associations, residents, and sports clubs. The complex will include a regulation-size pitch. Concacaf de 103 x 65 meters en high-end and certified synthetic turf, an improved basketball courtlighting suitable for television broadcasts, 560 seats in the stands, separate changing rooms For the teams and referees, a press area, three refreshment stands, two public toiletsa drop-off zone as well as two separate parking lots for the public and professionals. The architecture also prioritizes a sustainable approach and local materials: natural ventilation, sun protection inspired by local heritage, recovery of rainwateraccessibility to Handicapped and planting of 64 trees in order to create more shade and biodiversity.

Beyond a simple stadium

For the President Louis MussingtonThis construction project represents “a historic moment” after years of waiting. Convinced that we will soon have “the most beautiful stadium in the region,” he hopes to make this facility a engine of renewal for Quartier d'Orléans, while also reminding everyone that “we are also expected by our young people in Marigot”. For its part, Sports councillor Marc Ménard emphasizes that this project will have required dealing with administrative delays sometimes lengthy, despite the urgent need to equip the territory with suitable sports infrastructureHe now intends to make this future stadium a tourist and economic asset: “Saint-Martin will position itself in the infrastructure rental market.” Sub-prefect Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau, for her part, praised it as an “emblematic project.” symbol of renewalIn addition to the sports complex, she sees this new facility as a place for meeting, social cohesion, and learning to live together for the youth of Saint-Martin.