Dear Editor,
For the last 30 years, we have been talking about Mullet Bay and what should happen with this important piece of land.
In 2024, I shared a vision for Mullet Bay that I had been thinking about for years: to keep this valuable area for St. Maarteners, the St. Maarten people and, most importantly, our future generations, and transform it into a Multi-Recreational Park.
Rather than looking at Mullet Bay simply as another opportunity for large-scale development, we could create something that improves our quality of life while contributing to education, recreation, sports and tourism.
My vision would include walking, jogging and cycling paths, green recreational spaces, designated picnic areas, non-motorised water activities on the lagoon, and a small, attractive water park that is affordable and relatively easy to maintain.
In the area where the former Mullet Bay casino once operated, I envision a community and event centre where weddings, parties, conferences, cultural activities and other community events could be held.
Another important component would be a small boutique hotel of approximately 30-60 rooms, with kitchenettes and flexible sleeping arrangements capable of accommodating 4-6 persons per room.
The hotel could provide an affordable staycation option for locals, with easy access to Mullet Bay Beach and the recreational facilities. Its room design would also make it suitable and affordable for visiting sports teams, youth groups and families.
This could help St. Maarten further develop sports tourism, giving us the ability to accommodate regional and international teams coming to the island for tournaments, training camps and other sporting events.
The property would also function as a hospitality and vocational training hotel, creating a direct bridge between education and employment. Graduates from NIPA [National Institute for Professional Advancement – Ed.] and other vocational programmes could gain one to two years of hands-on work experience in areas such as hospitality, restaurants, customer service, electrical, plumbing and general maintenance before moving on to other employment opportunities.
The training facility could eventually become a recognised talent hub for St. Maarten, where employers seeking certified workers with practical experience could recruit local talent. As participants move into the wider workforce, new graduates would enter the programme, creating a continuous pathway from education, to experience, to employment.
And, of course, the Mullet Bay Golf Course would remain an important part of the property, properly managed and maintained for locals and visitors to enjoy.
The bigger idea is simple: Mullet Bay should be more than land waiting to be developed.
It could become a place where families exercise, relax and spend time together; where our young people gain skills and employment experience; where our community gathers; and where new opportunities such as sports tourism contribute to our economy.
Development does not always have to mean putting concrete everywhere. Sometimes it means preserving what we have, using it responsibly and ensuring that future generations inherit something of real value.
Mullet Bay could become St. Maarten's premier recreational, educational, sporting and community park – developed for St. Maarteners and the St. Maarten people today, while being protected for generations to come.
Claude Chacho Peterson
