ORLÉANS, Saint-Martin--The reconstruction of the Thelbert Carti Stadium is set to move forward, with demolition of the existing facility scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and continue for approximately three months.
Local officials and the representative of the French State gathered in the Orléans district on Tuesday, August 4, to formally announce the start of the project. Demolition is expected to be completed before the end of 2026, clearing the site for the reconstruction phase to begin in January 2027.
Construction of the new stadium is expected to take approximately 18 months.
The project, valued at close to €12 million, is being jointly financed by the French State and the Collectivité of Saint-Martin. The new facility will be constructed in accordance with European standards and designed to accommodate regional sporting events, including Caribbean football competitions organized under Concacaf.
The project will include a synthetic playing field, modern locker rooms, spectator stands and other facilities necessary to support athletes, officials and the public.
SEMSAMAR has been entrusted with the construction and monitoring of the project. Christine Pouzet of Moeibus Architecture is the architect responsible for the development, while the Technical Studies Office is represented by Éric Versini of Artelia.
President of the Collectivité Louis Mussington said Saint-Martin must be equipped with major sporting and cultural facilities capable of meeting the needs of its residents, particularly young people.
He noted that several important facilities have been unavailable since Hurricane Irma and said the reconstruction of the Thelbert Carti Stadium forms part of the Collectivité’s commitment to restoring and improving the territory’s public infrastructure.
The new stadium is expected to provide Orléans and the wider community with a modern venue for training, local competitions and regional sporting events. The development is also intended to create a stronger environment in which young athletes can develop their abilities and benefit from the discipline, teamwork and community values associated with sports.
The Collectivité also plans to rebuild the Albéric Richards Stadium in Sandy Ground. That project is expected to provide Saint-Martin with a third officially recognized playing field and expand the facilities available to young people participating in different sporting disciplines during competition periods.
The stadium projects form part of a broader effort to increase access to community, sporting and cultural facilities in neighborhoods identified under the city policy framework.
Other planned developments include a Maison des Associations and sports plateau in Grand Case, as well as a new stadium and Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture in Sandy Ground. Additional improvements are also planned for the Orléans district.
The Collectivité, with the support of the French State, expects the major post-Irma restructuring projects to be completed over the next two years.
The start of work at the Thelbert Carti Stadium represents an important step in restoring one of Saint-Martin’s principal sporting facilities and strengthening the territory’s ability to host local and regional competitions.
