80.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal governmentDepartment of Sports, Parks and Recreation Addresses STT Parks Being Closed

Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation Addresses STT Parks Being Closed

Renovating Emile Griffith Ballpark (file photo)

The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation has been privy to questions and concerns regarding numerous baseball/softball facilities being closed simultaneously (Emile Griffith, Joseph Aubain, Kirwan Terrace, etc.). Parks and Recreation wants to assure the public that it is fully aware of the importance of recreational activities for Virgin Islands baseball and softball athletes.

For these activities to take place, the parks must be available. Each park goes through the same process of bidding, drafting contracts, creating scopes of work, procuring and processing change orders, obtaining funds, etc. These procedures often experience delays that are out of our control.

The condition of the Joseph Aubain Ballfield in Frenchtown in 2019. (Source photo by Bethaney Lee)

While no project began at the exact time, the department has found itself in a situation where contractors are on various sites concurrently due to said interruptions. It was not the department’s intent to start all renovation projects simultaneously. However, it is essential that the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation get these projects started and completed. Considering the many obstacles already experienced, the department feels it necessary to continue each project without any warranted disruptions.

The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation apologizes for the inconvenience and is committed to working with league organizers, coaches, etc., on ways to utilize other available facilities.

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.