How global solidarity helped buy time for Grenada’s Drill Yard

A blog by Dr Ezra B. Matthias, First Vice President, Grenada National Trust

When the Grenada National Trust learned that demolition of the historic Drill Yard in St George’s was imminent, we faced a daunting challenge.

The Drill Yard forms part of Grenada’s rich military and cultural heritage and sits within the wider historic landscape surrounding Fort George, the Antilles Complex and the National Museum. While concerns about public safety were both real and urgent, many of us felt that demolition represented an irreversible step that should only be taken once all other options had been thoroughly examined.

Like many heritage organisations, we did not simply need answers. We needed time. We needed confidence. And we needed access to expertise.

That is where the INTO made a remarkable difference.

Following an approach from the Grenada National Trust, INTO rapidly convened an international desk review involving conservation specialists, engineers, archaeologists, heritage professionals and practitioners from several countries. The group brought together expertise from organisations including National Trusts and heritage bodies that have managed complex conservation challenges in very different contexts.

Within days, experienced professionals were reviewing documentation, sharing examples from their own countries and helping us consider a range of alternatives that could potentially balance public safety with heritage conservation. These included detailed structural assessment, temporary stabilisation measures, archaeological investigation, documentation, options appraisal and conservation planning.

Most importantly, the review demonstrated that the choice was not simply between doing nothing and demolishing a historic structure.

The international experts made clear that there were a number of potential intermediate steps worthy of further investigation before irreversible decisions were taken.

The technical input was invaluable, but the support we received extended far beyond engineering reports and conservation advice.

For a small organisation facing a fast-moving and highly visible challenge, one of INTO’s greatest contributions was confidence.

Knowing that experienced professionals from around the world were willing to contribute their time, knowledge and credibility provided enormous encouragement to our team. At every stage, we felt that we were not acting alone but as part of a wider international community of organisations committed to protecting heritage places.

The willingness of colleagues to respond at short notice, review documents, share examples and offer constructive advice strengthened our resolve to continue seeking a solution that respected both safety concerns and heritage values.

As events accelerated, the Grenada National Trust took the difficult decision to seek legal intervention in order to secure additional time for a proper review of the site.

INTO was not able to provide legal advice. However, the organisation helped the Trust demonstrate that meaningful professional expertise was available and that a structured programme of review could realistically be undertaken if additional time were granted.

Working with contributors from the international review team, INTO assisted in outlining a typical heritage assessment process, showing that a comprehensive review would ordinarily require a number of stages including site investigation, technical assessment, significance evaluation, options appraisal and reporting. Contributors indicated that such a process would typically require approximately 100 to 125 days, providing an evidence base for requests seeking more time.

INTO also confirmed its willingness to help identify and coordinate access to relevant international expertise should further review be permitted.

A significant milestone

On 31 July 2026, the parties reached a Consent Order in the High Court of Grenada. Among other provisions, the agreement created an opportunity for temporary protective works and for a specialist team to undertake further assessment of the Drill Yard before any final decision is made concerning its future.

For the Grenada National Trust, this represents an important milestone.

It does not determine the ultimate outcome. Nor does it remove the need to address genuine public safety concerns. What it does provide is something that heritage organisations often struggle to obtain once demolition has been proposed: time for careful investigation and informed decision-making.

This experience has demonstrated the value of international collaboration in heritage conservation.

Many National Trusts and heritage organisations operate with limited resources. Faced with urgent challenges, they may not always have immediate access to specialist expertise in areas such as structural engineering, archaeology, conservation planning or heritage management.

One of the greatest strengths of INTO is its ability to connect organisations facing local challenges with a global community of practitioners willing to share experience and support one another.

The Drill Yard story is therefore not just a Grenadian story. It is also a story about the power of international solidarity, professional generosity and a shared commitment to heritage.

On behalf of the Grenada National Trust, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to INTO, Catherine Leonard, and the many experts and organisations who contributed their time, advice and encouragement during this critical period. Their support has helped ensure that decisions about the future of this important site can be informed by evidence, expertise and due consideration.

The next chapter of the Drill Yard story is still being written. Thanks to the support of the INTO family, that story now has the opportunity to be considered with the care it deserves.