The Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation is voicing concerns over what it describes as unsafe conditions at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School track and field facility, along with continued delays in beginning a fully funded reconstruction project.
A professional assessment conducted by John Beynon, chief executive officer of Beynon Sports, found that the track surface is severely deteriorated and poses direct risks to student-athletes. Beynon Sports is one of the world’s leading track and field construction companies.
According to the assessment, the current surface could contribute to growth plate injuries in developing athletes, stress fractures in teenagers, long-term joint and musculoskeletal damage and an increased risk of falls due to surface instability.
Because of these issues, the Legislature appropriated $2.5 million for the design and renovation of the Kean track, with a dedicated funding source and the money placed in the proper account.
Despite this, the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance has not yet executed the contract required to begin the professional services phase of the project, even though all necessary documents are reportedly in place.
According to the VITFF, the Education Department has reversed its earlier position, now stating that the facility will be included as part of a broader school rebuild, despite previously confirming two years ago that it was not part of that project.
The shift raises concerns that the work could be delayed by five to seven years, leaving St. Thomas without a World Athletics Class 2 – certified track and, according to the federation, jeopardizing the development and health of hundreds of young athletes.
Keith A. Smith Sr., president of the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation, said the issue involves both safety concerns and a broader missed opportunity for development.
“It’s a much bigger picture than just fixing the track,” Smith said. “When we look at the track and the possibilities in terms of sports tourism, it is something that goes unnoticed in terms of its potential. We have to really focus on the big picture.”
Smith said the territory is already attracting interest from outside organizations.
“We’ve been approached by youth organizations that want to bring 1,000 people to the VI for a track meet,” he said. “If you have 1,000 athletes, how many parents are coming? We’re talking about a big economic boost to the territory.”
He said interest from U.S.-based track and field organizations is strong in part because athletes can travel to the Virgin Islands without needing a passport, making it a more accessible destination for events than many other Caribbean locations.
Smith also pointed to interest from NCAA programs, which he said are limited by rules governing how often they can compete abroad and could instead return to the territory annually if a properly maintained facility were available.
He added that the Kean track was previously certified to World Athletics Class 2 standards, allowing it to host professional-level competition, and said restoring that status could position the Virgin Islands more competitively in the region as other areas, including Puerto Rico, work to improve their own track infrastructure.
Smith said the issue is not only about money or tourism, but also about safety for student-athletes.
“Anytime you operate on a faulty surface, as in a track, you find that injuries are reoccurring,” he said. “You have hip issues, knee issues, ankle issues … shin splints … stress fractures … those things really detrimentally affect our youths and end careers.”
“We have to take our youth seriously,” Smith said. “We have to show them that we care. We have to demonstrate that with our use of funding and money, not just by saying it.”
“That’s my impetus, as president of the VI Track and Field Federation,” he said. “To push to hold our elected officials accountable and to show the youths that I’m willing to focus on making sure they have somewhere to compete and train.”
Smith said Kean High School needs an operable track as soon as possible to allow for cross-territorial competitions, which he described as vital for raising the level of competition across the territory and attracting outside talent.
He said that if existing funding were used as intended, the track could be resurfaced and brought back to international standards within nine to 12 months. However, if the project is tied to a broader school reconstruction, Smith said the timeline could stretch to five to seven years, potentially delaying access to a certified facility for an entire generation of athletes.
In a press release, Mireille Smith, general secretary of the federation, said the delay is especially concerning given the risks identified in the report.
“The track is not in a condition that supports safe training or competition, and every delay increases the risk to our student-athletes,” she said. “The funding exists. The expert assessment is clear. The law requires action. Our athletes deserve better — and they deserve it now.”
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