The community of Ciceron erupted in celebration on Saturday night as floodlights illuminated the Ciceron Playing Field for the very first time, marking a historic milestone in local sports and community development.
Parliamentary Representative for Castries South, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, who spearheaded the project, described the achievement as a promise fulfilled and a foundation for greater things to come.
“I very pleased with the putting on of these lights,” Dr. Hilaire declared to loud applause. “When I first came to Ciceron in 2016, the community told me clearly: they wanted a proper playing facility. Today, we not only have a modernized field with lights, but also a new surface, seating, dressing rooms, and an outdoor gym.
Ciceron now boasts one of the best community facilities in Saint Lucia.”
Dr. Hilaire outlined the years of persistence and advocacy that went into the project, including setbacks from ministries, last-minute political gestures before elections, and missed opportunities. But with government support and community partnerships, he said, the vision has finally been realized.
Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Hilaire emphasized the broader impact: “This field belongs to the young boys and girls running around today. It belongs to the schools who will use it to develop talent. It belongs to all of Ciceron, Capital Hill, Monkey Town, The Gulf, Firehouse, this is your field, your pride, your future.”
Ciceron resident Javan Lewis, who grew up in the community, captured the emotional significance of the moment.
“Tonight isn’t just about bright lights; it’s about a brighter beating heart for Ciceron,” Lewis said. “This is more than grass and goalposts, it’s where people come together, where vendors make a living, where stories are traded and community pride is built. And now, football in Ciceron is no longer at the mercy of daylight.
No more penalties taken in the dark.”
The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) also hailed the project as a landmark achievement for the sport. SLFA President Lyndon Cooper described the lighting of the field as “a historic moment for football in Saint Lucia.”
“This is more than a playing field,” Cooper said. “This is the beginning of a new journey for the next generation of national footballers. The SLFA pledges its commitment to ensuring this facility is utilized to its fullest potential, with continuous training and organized programs for our children. Facilities like these are the building blocks of national football development.”
The newly enhanced Ciceron Playing Field now boasts a modernized playing surface, floodlighting for evening matches and training, seating stands for spectators, dressing rooms for players, and an outdoor gym for community fitness.
The upgrades are expected to transform the Ciceron Playing Field into a hub for sports, recreation, and community bonding. Already, plans are underway for grassroots programs and competitive football fixtures starting in September.
Following the turning on of the lights, the evening continued with live musical performances by the More Fire Cultural Group and several friendly matches, including a clash between the Ciceron Veterans and the Marchand Veterans.
