The former Massac Nursing Home on St. Thomas will be transferred from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for conversion to a sports facility, boxing gymnasium and housing for visiting athletes, if a bill approved in committee Wednesday becomes law.
The government purchased the facility in 2005 for $1.5 million, turning it over to Human Services to run. It remained vacant for years due to lack of money, and then in 2009, the Legislature approved $47,640 for repairs.
Michal Rhymer-Charles, assistant Human Services commissioner for St. Thomas, testified Wednesday that the funding was not enough to make the needed repairs and was ultimately transferred to the Meals on Wheels program. Two apartments were renovated in 2011 but are not occupied due to the cost, she said.
She said three groups had expressed an interest in the facility. Methodist Outreach wants to create a place for youths leaving foster care to live for up to 24 months. The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities has expressed interest in using the facility for temporary housing and other purposes. And the U.S. Virgin Islands Boxing Federation would like to use it as a sports facility, she said.
Rhymer-Charles and Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner St. Claire Williams both said the building needed major plumbing and electrical work before it could be used and that any use of the building will need funding.
It may also need some roof replacement, repair to cracked floor slabs, "and possible asbestos and lead paint" removal, Rhymer-Charles said, adding that while valuable, transferring the building "would be of no use without sufficient funding." The total cost of renovations should be around $900,000, she said.
At the same time, Williams said "the building does have a lot of potential" and "the biggest issue for the amateur boxing program has been the ongoing effort to find a location."
USVI Boxing President Jose Rosario said they have been looking for a home for 10 years and "something like this would make it work."
Sen. Nereida "Nellie" Rivera-O’Reilly asked Rosario how long his organization would take to raise the money to "pull the trigger" on the repairs. Rosario said they could start right away, making repairs as money becomes available.
"We can go in there and fix it over time and start using it today because it is in better condition that what we are using right now."
Sen. Myron Jackson, the bill’s sponsor, said the building could accommodate 14 beds, which could be used for visiting athletes at the annual Special Olympics. He said he would be presenting an amendment to accomplish that when the bill is next considered.
The committee voted unanimously to send the bill on to the Rules and Judiciary Committee. Present were Jackson, O’Reilly, Sens. Tregenza Roach, Kenneth Gittens, Shawn-Michael Malone, Terrence "Positive" Nelson and Janette Millin Young.
The committee also approved a bill sponsored by Malone, Roach and Sen. Alicia “Chucky” Hansen to increase the term of members of St. Thomas Horse Racing Commission and the St. Croix Racing Commission from three years to four years.
