Sept. 23, 2008 – Twenty capital improvement projects are being developed and carried out by the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation as part of the DeJongh-Francis administration's commitment to providing the territory's young people with modernized recreation facilities, according to a press release from Government House. Nine projects are in the works on St. Croix and 11 recreational facilities upgrade are in progress in the St. Thomas-St. John district, according to Commissioner St. Claire Williams, DHPR.
On St. Croix, the projects range from beach restoration to park upgrades and community center development. These projects include:
· Castle Burke Community Center: Construction on the community center on site II Castle Burke is approximately 85 percent completed; the construction and installation of one of the two playgrounds has been completed; and the basketball court with energy-efficient lights and the paving of the parking lot has commenced. The estimated time of completion of the entire project has +been set back due to the inclement weather and is now estimated to be completed by Nov. 30. The funding source is through Act 6884 in the amount of $300,000 and Community Development Block Grants in the amount of $79,156.
· D.C. Canegata Stadium Parking Lot: The contract was awarded to Virgin Islands Paving Inc. in the amount of $327,195 on April 2, 2008. Work has commenced on contract for the paving of 43,365 square feet of asphalt, replacing 320 linear feet of fencing and construction of a 12' wide concrete swale. The funding source is the Public Finance Authority in the amount of $1,500,000. The construction is approximately 50 percent completed. The contract completion date is Feb. 13, 2009; however, the project is estimated to be completed before that time.
· Estate Campo Rico Playground: The resurfacing of the basketball court with installation of new backboards and energy-efficient sports lights, with the addition of new playground equipment and new perimeter fencing. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $95,000. The project will include the ordering of the sports lights and playground equipment. The estimated completion is Nov. 30.
· Estate Glynn Playground: The resurfacing of the basketball court with installation of new backboards and energy-efficient sports lights, with the addition of new playground equipment and new perimeter fencing. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $95,000. The project will include the ordering of the sports lights and playground equipment and the resurfacing of the basketball court. The estimated completion date is Oct. 31.
· D. Hamilton Jackson Park: The renovations of the concession and restrooms and the installation of new playground equipment and picnic tables and benches. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $125,000.00. The project is ongoing to include the ordering of the playground equipment. The estimated time of completion is Oct. 31.
· Fort Frederik Beach: The renovations to bathhouse, repairs to cabana and the installation of new picnic tables and benches. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $65,000.00. The project is approximately 75 percent completed with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30.
· Fort Frederik Beach: The installation of new energy efficient sports lights for the basketball and tennis courts. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $55,000.00. The project is ongoing to include the ordering of the sports lights equipment. The estimated of completion is October 31, 2008.
· Midre Cumming Park Restrooms: The construction of added restrooms to the solar demonstration building is approximately 85 percent completed with a scheduled completion date of Oct. 30. Additionally, new playground equipment has been order and will be installed within the scheduled completion date. The project has been awarded in the amount of $70,904.80 for the construction of restrooms and an additional $40,000 for the purchasing and installation of the playground equipment. Funding is provided through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $60,000 and Act 7000 in the amount of $40,000.00 for a total of $110,904.80.
· Pedro Cruz Ballpark: Renovations to restrooms, concession and office. The renovations to restrooms and concession are 90% completed is estimated to be completed by September 30, 2008. The funding source is through Act No. 6800 in the amount of $95,000 and Act 7000 in the amount of $40,000.
Commissioner Williams said the capital projects in the St. Thomas – St. John district will incorporate rehabilitation work at many recreational facilities including the Clinton Phipps Racetrack as well as the Emile Griffith, Lionel "Smut" Richards and Joseph Aubain ball parks. Among the facilities slated for renovations:
· Alvin McBean Recreational Complex: Renovations of restrooms, bleachers, office, concession and recreation center. Installation of new energy efficient sports light on softball field and new scoreboard, the retrofitting of energy lights on courts and the resurfacing and repairs of courts and fencing. The installation of the sports lights is ongoing, the selective demolition of the bleachers is completed, and the ordering of new portable bleachers for the softball field has been ordered. Other work on the renovations is also ongoing. The funding source is through LWCF in the amount of $100,000.00, Act N0.6917 in the amount of $175,000.00 (awaiting the reinstatement of funds; "to remain until expended") and Act No.7000 for $135,000 for a total of $410,000. The estimated time of completion is February 2009.
· Bordeaux Playground: The resurfacing and installation of energy sports lights on the basketball court and the installation of new playground equipment and repairs to the perimeter fencing. The Department has ordered the lights and playground equipment and anticipates the work to commence shortly and completed by Oct. 31.
· Clinton E. Phipps Race Track: The contract for the Architectural and Engineering Services for the development of the race track is presently under review for possible changes to the design due to the renovations that were undertaken for the Carnival Races. Currently, the Department has received CZM approval of the plans and is moving forward with the other additional repairs and renovations that were developed in conjunction with the St. Thomas/St. John Horse Owners Association, in particular the stables. It is anticipated the work on the stables will commence between October and November. The funding source is through Act No.6868 in the amount of $2,500,000.
· Emile Griffith Ballpark: Renovations of restrooms, office, concession, installation of new scoreboard, resurfacing of basketball court, and upgrading court lights and install new perimeter fencing at softball field. The installation of new bleachers is completed. The department has ordered the scoreboard and is preparing the scope of work for the other repairs and renovations. The funding source is through Act No. 6876 in the amount of $67,500 and Act No. 7000 $280,000. The department anticipates the commencement of this project by December.
· Frenchtown Tot Lots I and II: The demolition and installation of new playground equipment for both tot lots within the Frenchtown community. The project is funded through Act 7000 and is estimated at $80,000. The demolition has been completed, and the installation of the new play equipment is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31.
· Frydenhoj Recreation Area: The resurfacing of the basketball court and new energy-efficient sports lights. The sports lights are on order and the estimated time of completion is December.
· Nadir Recreation Area: The resurfacing of the basketball court and new ene
rgy-efficient sports lights. The sports lights are on order and the estimated time of completion is December.
· Savan B.B. Court/Playground: The resurfacing of the basketball court and new energy-efficient sports lights. The sports lights are on order, and the estimated time of completion is December.
· Tutu Basketball Court: The resurfacing of the basketball court and new energy-efficient sports lights. The sports lights are on order, and the estimated time of completion is December.
· Joseph Aubain Ballpark: Renovations of restrooms, construction of office, repairs to concession, installation of new scoreboard and installation of new perimeter fencing at softball field. The department has ordered the scoreboard and is preparing the scope of work for the other repairs and renovations. The funding source is through Act No. 6876 $67,500 and Act No.7000 for $155,000. The department anticipates the commencement of this project by October.
· Lionel "Smut" Richards Ballpark: The renovations to the restrooms and concession, the resurfacing of basketball court, and installation of new energy-efficient sports lights. The renovation of the restrooms and concession is 90 percent completed; the installation and resurfacing of the court and installation of new bleachers are scheduled to commence on Sept. 30. The funding source is through the Territorial Park Fund $55,000 and Act No. 7000 for $55,000 for a total of $ $110,000. The estimated time of completion is Oct. 31.
"Once completed, these facilities will serve the recreational facilities of our young people. We remain committed to providing the very best facilities for not only the young people but the athletes who participate in the many organized sports leagues that are held on all islands year round," Williams said.
A copy of this release is also available at www.GovernordeJongh.com
