Committee backs renaming Limerick Park for 10 Sleepless Nights band, asks signage and programming plan

The committee voted unanimously to report Bill No. 36‑0121, which renames Peter Carl Limerick Park in Christiansted to honor the band 10 Sleepless Nights and appropriates funds to implement the change. Sponsors and cultural organizations said the band — active more than 55 years — has carried the Virgin Islands’ quelbe tradition worldwide and invested in community music education.

Why it matters: Supporters framed the change both as symbolic recognition and as an opportunity to activate an underused downtown park for year‑round cultural programming, festivals and educational events that preserve and teach quelbe, quadrille and other local traditions.

What witnesses said: The Crucian Cultural Group described the park’s evolution into a popular December “Glow in the Park” tree‑lighting and urged that any renaming be followed by modest capital work and annual programming funds so the space remains active beyond the holiday season. Band founder Stanley Jacobs, band president Lauren Larson, and longtime supporters gave on‑the‑record accounts of international tours, school workshops, scholarship programs and recordings that helped keep local music alive.

Amendments and committee direction: The committee accepted a sponsor amendment to use the band’s full name (10 Sleepless Nights) in the park title rather than an abbreviated acronym. Members asked sponsoring staff to coordinate signage placement so historical markers (including any material referencing Peter Carl Limerick) remain available in the park and to work with Public Works and Tourism on maintenance and programming budgets.

Vote and next steps: The committee reported the measure favorably (7–0). Staff were asked to prepare an implementation plan — including an estimate for signage, a maintenance plan and a programming budget — to send with the bill to Rules and Judiciary.