New facilities coming to Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School

One of the oldest schools in Saint Lucia is finally getting much needed new facilities. 

After years of confronting limited space, crumbling infrastructure, termites, and flooding, the students and staff of Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School are about to finally move into their brand-new facilities.

The Methodist School was founded in 1890, over 130 years ago known then as the TD Gordon Methodist Primary School.

In 2002 it was renamed Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School – TD Gordon being the first Principal and Alix Walcott, the mother of the Walcott Twins Derek and Roddy.

Teacher Alix started teaching in 1918 and educated many St. Lucian luminaries including influential political and business leaders.

Principal of the Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School Margaret Gabriel says  However, over the last several years the deteriorating state of the facilities have presented numerous challenges for the staff and students confronting limited space, crumbling infrastructure, termites, and flooding.

Finally, after years of effort the school was able to get a commitment for new facilities, thanks to financial support from the Caribbean Development Bank, through the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP).

Principal Gabriel said that she and the staff were actively involved with the construction team and engineers in the design plans. 

These included the need for smart classrooms with various technological elements to accommodate the trends in education as well as special needs facilities and several other elements that they have been in dire need of for the students and staff.

The construction began on the 5^th of July 2021 and is scheduled to be completed in time for the new school year.

The project manager for Purdi’s Construction Services, Kimron Kurt Mondesir says the building has incorporated innovative design features to include smart infrastructure, accommodating special need students and environmentally friendly considerations as well.

The staff and students at the Gordon Walcott Memorial Methodist School will soon be on the cutting edge of education in their brand-new facilities.