ST. CROIX — Last Thursday, the Committee on Rules and Judiciary voted favorably on Bill No. 36-0119, a measure that would reprogram $5 million to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation from VIGL Operations to begin work on the Randall ‘Doc’ James Racetrack on St. Croix.
Before the measure was heard, Senator Carla Joseph circulated an amendment that would use 5% of the funds identified to assess the territory’s horse racing industry.
The amendment calls for $250,000 to go to the University of the Virgin Islands in fiscal year 2026 “to conduct an economic market and feasibility assessment to evaluate the horse racing industry as a revenue generating industry in the Virgin Islands.” Although Joseph did not introduce amendment 36-590 during the Rules Committee meeting, she addressed its intent on the floor. She said there is a need for an assessment to determine the economic impact of horse racing in the Virgin Islands, adding that she believes horse racing generates revenue that positively impacts the economy.
“I have to see the numbers and to see a study that is comprehensively done so that we can say, ‘hey, horse racing is great,’” Joseph, Rules Committee chair, said. “‘It’s bringing in all of this money. It helps with the multiplier effect.’”
It is not clear if Joseph plans to bring the amendment at session this week and she did not respond to WTJX’s calls.
A total of $5 million was originally appropriated to DSPR on September 29, 2022 from the Community Facilities Trust Fund as a grant to be disbursed to VIGL Operations upon completion of a portion of work on the racetrack. VIGL, which had a 2016 franchise agreement with the government to develop the racetrack, never completed the work. VIGL and the government reached an agreement that ended their partnership in March after the government sued the company on January 27 for failure to meet contractual obligations.
READ MORE: Government sues VIGL for failure to develop Randall ‘Doc’ James Racetrack, seeks transfer of permits
Senator Avery Lewis subsequently sponsored Bill No. 36-0119 to reprogram the $5 million so that VIGL will no longer receive it. Instead, the money would remain with DSPR to begin making renovations to the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.
READ MORE: Sen. Avery Lewis pushes to reprogram $5 million for STX horse racetrack; DSPR ready to begin work
Lewis, while introducing his bill during last Thursday’s Rules Committee meeting, described the racetrack on St. Croix as a cultural landmark, community gathering place, and cornerstone of the island’s heritage.
“For generations, horse racing has united families, inspired young people, and fueled our economy,” he said. “A fully functioning track means more than entertainment. It means jobs, tourism, business growth, and above all a safe and positive outlet for our youth, keeping them off the streets and engaged in something greater than themselves.”
While testifying in support of the $5 million appropriation during a Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance meeting on October 7, Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Vincent Roberts clarified more money would be needed to complete the $12 million to $14 million project.
“The $5 million appropriation, although not sufficient to complete the racetrack, will enable us to proceed with crucial design management and site preparation work that makes this project possible,” he said.
Roberts said the initial $5 million appropriation would allow DSPR to cover the cost of a complete track design, engage construction managementservices throughout the project, complete a comprehensive assessment of the running surface, install perimeter fencing, undertake clearing of overgrown vegetation that has overtaken the property during years of inactivity, and begin critical stable and paddock area renovations.
“This phase investment will put the project on a solid footing, restore public confidence, and create momentum for securing additional funds needed to complete the racetrack,” Roberts said.
In response to questions, Roberts said DSPR’s primary goal is to complete work to the running surface, which he estimated would cost between $1 million to $1.5 million. He said a $42,000 assessment of the running surface has been completed, but the full report has not been presented to DSPR because the vendor has not yet been paid. He said DSPR will pay the vendor from the $5 million appropriation, noting that a preliminary report indicates that some of the material VIGL used at the base of the track was incorrect for the racetrack.
In addition to the running surface, Roberts estimated it will cost about $2 million to renovate the barns, noting there is unlevel flooring in a lot of them. He said newly installed roofing must be removed because it is leaking.
“There’s still a lot of leaking going on because of how it was done,” he said.
