77.8 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsHorse Racing Will Return – But Senators Can't Get a Firm Date

Horse Racing Will Return – But Senators Can’t Get a Firm Date

Horses race in 2011 at St. Croix's Randall 'Doc' James Racetrack. (File photo)
Horses race in 2011 at St. Croix’s Randall ‘Doc’ James Racetrack. (File photo)

Virgin Islands horse racing enthusiasts heard Monday much about support for VIGL, the slot machine company the V.I. government gave the franchise to run the territory’s two racing tracks, but they did not hear a firm date when horse racing will return to the territory.

Jason Williams, VIGL’s general manager for horse racing operations, was asked several times by senators at Committee of the Whole zoning hearing when the tracks would be operating again. He said he could not give a specific date because certain things, such as when its Coastal Zone Management permit would be approved, were out of its control.

Sen. Janette Millin Young said, “I wish these things would not take so long.”

Sen. Brian Smith also expressed the desire to get horse racing back at the Clinton E. Phipps track on St. Thomas and at the Randall “Doc” James track on St. Croix. He said racing would “generate a whole lot of revenue for the territory.”

It is expected that 35 people will be employed at each race track and there will be 20 race days each year in, with the purse at $100,000 or more.

One representative of VIGL, who attended the hearing to support of a zoning change for land adjacent to the St. Croix track, said he was hopeful there would be racing on the St. Croix track next Easter and on the St. Thomas track even earlier.

The zoning change is needed on the land VIGL is leasing from the government because VIGL wants to extend its track onto that land. The extension would make the track a mile long. The track is presently seven furloughs, or seven eighths of a mile.

The franchise agreement, entered in December 2016, requires VIGL to make $27 million in investments in the tracks. The territory gave VIGL the right to open slot machine parlors at the St. Thomas track and take over the parlor at the St. Croix track. VIGL already operates a small casino near the boardwalk in Christiansted. The lease and franchise call for VIGL to make a wide array of renovations and new construction. This will include new stadium seating, several barns, stables and jockey quarters. It will also include, according to VIGL representatives, a splash pad – a pool-like area where children can play.

Sen. Neville James questioned whether the company was now prepared to put up the $25 million performance bond required by the lease. The representatives said that question would have to be referred to the company owner.

The 20-acre parcel needing the zoning change is between the race track and the St. Croix landfill. It was previously leased by Tibar, a company growing king grass to be used in a failed energy project.

Williams said about the renovations being made to the St. Croix track, “This is a significant milestone and will help make the track a premier horse racing destination in the Caribbean.”

At the Committee of the Whole hearing senators also received testimony from Dr. Hubert H. Watty requesting a use variance for Plot No. 6 Estate Clifton Hill, Kings Quarter, St. Croix to allow for medical clinic laboratory services and medical offices. The one-acre property has three buildings previously used as a school. Watty plans to convert one of the buildings into medical offices and include a small medical laboratory.

Dr. Watty has specialized in family practice for 20 years. Although he grew up on St. Croix most of his career has been in the states.

He said, after returning to practice on St. Croix, he heard from patients that there was an “urgent need” for health-care facilities on St. Croix. He said he would focus on preventative medicine and his services would be available to all residents.

Department of Planning and Natural Resources Territorial Planner Leia LaPlace-Matthew testified the department supported both zoning requests.

Senators at the hearing were Myron Jackson, Alicia “Chucky” Hansen, Kurt Vialet, Janette Millin Young, Positive T.A. Nelson, Neville James, Marvin Blyden, Dwayne DeGraff, Tregenza Roach,

Sammuel Sanes, Brian Smith, and Novelle Francis.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.