Jun 14 2026

Jun 12 MBA board meeting summary:

The MBA board meeting focused primarily on the discussion of two preliminary proposals: one for glamping at Magens and one for cultural tours. I was unable to attend, but the MBA meeting is covered in the St. Thomas Source.

There are a few posts making the rounds on What's Going On St Thomas. If you are on fb, please comment or reshare. Or send your feedback to info@magensbayauthority.org, which is the email contact listed on the Magens Bay Authority website. 

Jun 12 2026 MBA board meeting notes:

Ed: Since there was so much interest in this meeting, we've reconstructed notes belated in July. As always, these notes may contain errors. We are not professional note-takers and these are provided on a best effort basis.

• King of the Wings tomorrow for Nana Baby (and other entities)

• General Manager report: Construction and upgrade in progress; new hires - 1 lifeguard & 1 cashier, immigration issue employee resolved; restroom ahead of schedule - cost is reimbursed by Federal Government (90%)

• Community report (Dayle Barry):  wanted on record that some language in maternity/paternity/partner policy needs a rewrite; union wants training time to be on the clock so the employee gets paid; wants to change not annual shop stewards leave for 12 day or less - motion approved by all 

• Unfinished business: audit contract for Driven to do 2023 & 2024, Hodge to do audit prep - motion, submitted but never got responses that qualified, will start on 2025 & 2026 ASAP, then previous years

• Glamping

  • Presentation from Kyle Sexius (passed out written materials to the board):

    • Beyond the Shore - native of STT, grandson St Lucia, friend of MBA Chair Barabara Petersen

    • Traveled to other islands

    • Eco glamping retreat in MB, beyond beach - cultural, ruins

    • Accommodations and preservation, number and placement negotiable

    • 30-50 accommodations, 15 to start

    • “Removable” - the deck stays, but the tents get packed up

    • Tents sizes like Neltjeberg - 440 sqft, also 10x10, 10x20

    • Bathrooms - showers, ecofriendly toilets 

    • Proposes location behind shed 4

    • 24 hour security costs charged to him

  • Barbara Petersen: Deed says no hotels, any infrastructure cooking, access roads, love idea, but technically it’s meant to be left for green area

    • Kyle: Will work within whatever you permit

  • Cecile deJongh: Would need insurance, emergency services, etc, asks if funding is in place

    • Kyle: Yes to funding, can make road for fire & ambulance

  • Alani Henneman: If catering then would be done by Magens concessionaire 

• Cultural tour (separate from glamping, but also from Kyle)

  • Presentation

    • Need to put culture in front of beach: use moko jumbie, teach walking on stilts, instagramable, free advert, teach to make johnny cake, teach or show steel pan, hair braiding, local arts & crafts like hats, storytelling & history

    • There are other islands that have half the beauty of Magens but they sell culture

    • Lindquist - not as big, not as conducive

  • Barbara Petersen: Can’t do artists because another contract prohibits it, Johan Henley is great storytelling

  • Cecile deJongh: Is it competing with others? Can’t be everything/everyone, can’t do hairbraiding, we are beach first and foremost