The new Collectivity has hit the ground running as far as municipal improvements are concerned. The projects are many and welcome. Lots of work to improve the roads and several building projects are underway.

Flamands will never look the same - just better. The main road is being totally repaved and slightly widened. Any water pipes that were above ground are being put underground. Once the road is finished, plans are in place to add a sidewalk from the pétanque court all the way to the Hotel St Barth Isle de France.

Repaving of the road will begin soon between Radio St Barth in Colombier and the intersection in Corossol just past Au Regal. In addition, all the electrical wires will be put underground. This will definitely be a visual improvement and a welcome improvement in the case of hurricanes. There's nothing worse than being closed up in a villa or hotel with no electricity and no air-conditioning!

Have you ever noticed a lot of water in the roads around the pond in St Jean? The breaks in the water pipes are being repaired and the road will soon be repaved as well. In addition, at long last, they will be paving the road between the municipal pool and the archery field.

Access to one of the most popular beaches will soon be easier. If you've been to St Barth recently, you've probably enjoyed the first half of the road down to Gouverneur beach. It's been widened and repaved and is a pleasure to drive on. However, after that, the road quickly deteriorates into a mass of broken pavement and potholes. The Collectivity will begin work on the remainder of the road in September and will also put all water pipes underground.

The church hall in the Catholic church in Gustavia is under total renovation and should be completed by mid-May when it will be used for performances of the St Barth Festival of Theater, which takes place May 16-25. Air-conditioning is being added, as well as theatrical lighting fixtures and controls for sound and lighting. Phase two of the project includes enlarging the area as only 150 people can currently be seated.

And, finally, the new clubhouse for the municipal tennis courts in St Jean should be completed by mid-summer.

These are ambitious undertakings that will be enjoyed by everyone!