Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks

The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will reconvene for a critical oversight hearing to examine investment, accountability, and completion timelines associated with two major capital projects: the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and the Clinton E. Phipps Horse Racing Track. This hearing reflects a renewed and necessary commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable progress following prior proceedings, including the July 2025 hearing, where significant issues remained unresolved and key deliverables were not met. These projects represent more than infrastructure; they reflect a promise to the people of the Virgin Islands, and this Committee is committed to ensuring that promise is fulfilled with integrity, urgency, and accountability.

BLOCK I                                                                                                                                10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

 “Financial and Administrative Oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project”

This block will examine the financial and administrative oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project following the postponement of scheduled hearings in November 2025 and February 2026. The Committee will require clear updates, address unresolved issues, and enforce full accountability relative to the originally projected December 2025 completion timeline.

Agency Roles and Focus Areas:

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Provide a detailed report on historical appropriations and current expenditures. The Committee expects transparency regarding any recent budget reallocations or shortfalls that may have impacted the project’s timely completion.
• Department of Property and Procurement (DPP) – Address the status of contractor performance, including any procurement delays, contract amendments, or unresolved vendor issues that may be affecting final project delivery.
• Department of Public Works (DPW) – Present an update on current construction progress, agency coordination efforts, and confirm whether the December 2025 completion target remains feasible. The Committee seeks clarity on progress since July and explanations for any missed milestones.
• Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (DSPR) – Provide an operational readiness assessment of the facility, including which amenities are complete, what remains outstanding, and what is required to make the stadium fully accessible for public use.
• Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) – Review funding disbursements, contractor oversight, and compliance with all applicable federal and local regulations. The Committee requests a summary of all ODR-administered grants supporting this project.
• GEC, LLC / Coastal Systems USVI – Deliver a comprehensive update on construction deliverables, identify remaining tasks, and explain any delays related to change orders, materials, or workforce that could impact the project’s timeline.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, VI Department of Property and Procurement
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, VI Department of Public Works
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, VI Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation
Mr. Julio Rhymer, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Ms. Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, USVI Office of Disaster Recovery
Mr. John Wessel, Director of Operations, GEC, LLC / Coastal Systems USVI