Full access to recreational grounds to resume after complete restoration in 2020
Rehabilitation projects at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds in Road Town are expected to be completed by 2020, following which full public access to the sporting facility will resume.
President of the BVI Athletic Association (BVIAA) Steve Augustine, gave that indication during the BVIAA’s recent General Assembly meeting.
“As it relates to the facilities, works on the synthetic plants at the walls surrounding the A.O. Shirley Grounds are currently on the way. We were given an expected completion date of about two weeks from commencement which means that this week or next week those works should be completed,” Augustine stated.
He also said that works to the pavilion which the association is pushing to have renamed in honour of the late coach Xavier ‘Dag’ Samuel, will be completed by the beginning of the second quarter next year.
“Completion of the new roof and interior renovations are scheduled for the end of May. So come the end of May, we should have full access to the pavilion,” the Athletic Association president said.
President Augustine further said that the lighting and stadium projects are both currently being tendered and will be completed within the first quarter of 2020.
He said: “The provision of the replacement lights is currently under tender, so they are out to bid with bid submissions due at the end of November and completion of the installation is scheduled for the end of February.”
“Repairs to the grandstand — the stadium seating is also planned with a scheduled completion date of those works in March 2020,” Augustine added.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of BVIAA Stephanie Russ-Penn said works are expected to be carried out on the throwing cage, where the shotput and discuss athletes practice.
“The throwing cage, we are looking at replacing the rings which would mean taking out the concrete. The throwers complain about the smoothness of the surface, so we are going to take the concrete out and we are going to replace it,” the General Secretary stated.
The funding of the rehabilitation of the facility is a joint effort from the BVIAA, the BVI Olympic Committee, the World Athletics formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and private sector investors.
The Virgin Islands Recover and Development Agency (RDA) is tasked with the oversight of the full rehabilitation process.
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So where does the BVI Recreation Trust stands in this project? When would the BVI Football Association and BVI Rugby Association be able to schedule matches at this facility? Are there any provision being made to provide office spaces for the different sporting associations in this facility?
It is time we catch up with the rest of the world and provide for the nourishment of our young people by providing proper facilities for them to practice their disciplines. Government should help the sporting organizations to become more self reliant.
You should donate some of the big bucks you charge your clients towards the cause. Government can only do so much at a time.
Not even to Jesus can please Totola people
This is the only safe place where taxpayers can safely exercise so dont close it before 8pm at nights
I agree. But we also should make sure it keeps getting used as a sports facility mainly. Not a playground for kids and dogs etc.
With all due respect to Mr. Samuel. Mr. A.O Shirley played a great roll to a point it was name after them. I think an sports event can be done annually in his name and winning the Xavier ‘Dag’ Samuel prize. Don’t get rid of A.O Shirley