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MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Members of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks The Honorable Carla Joseph, Vice Chair The Honorable Marvin A. Blyden The Honorable Alma Francis Heyliger The Honorable Novelle E. Francis, Jr. The Honorable Franklin D. Johnson The Honorable Avery L. Lewis FROM: Senator At Large Angel L. Bolques, Jr. ___________________ Chairman, Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks DATE: October 15, 2025 RE: AGENDA | Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks HEARING: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Chamber, St. Croix The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will reconvene for a pivotal oversight hearing to examine the intersecting threads of investment, accountability, and completion timelines tied to two of the Territory’s most prominent capital projects: the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and the Clinton E. Phipps Horse Racing Track. This hearing marks a renewed push for transparency, efficiency, and measurable progress, following earlier discussions in July that left unresolved questions and unmet deliverables. BLOCK I: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Operational Status and Financial Oversight of the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack and the Horse Racing Initiative Fund This block will assess the current operational status of the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas, with a focus on remaining construction, regulatory, and logistical needs. The Committee will receive testimony on delays, including permitting issues, funding gaps, and inter-agency coordination challenges, that have impacted any pending progress. The Committee will also review revenues from past racing events, examining how funds are tracked, reported, and allocated. Testifiers are expected to present a detailed financial breakdown of receipts and disbursements, as well as provide information on transparency and fund distribution practices. A key focus will be the Horse Racing Initiative Fund, including current balance, recent spending, and district-level allocations. Emphasis will be placed on the availability of funds to support racetrack improvements and local horsemen associations in both districts. Invited Testifiers: • Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation • Honorable Raymond Williams, Director, Virgin Islands Lottery • Mr. Robert E. Huckabee, III, President and CEO, Southland Gaming • Mr. Hugo Hodge Jr., Chairman, USVI Horseracing Commission Legislature of the Virgin Islands P.O. BOX 1690 ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00802 (340) 693-3571 CHAIRMAN Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports & Parks VICE-CHAIRMAN Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture MEMBER Committee of the Whole Committee on Rules & Judiciary Committee on Homeland Security, Justice & Public Safety Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure & Planning Sub-Committee on Energy & Infrastructure Development The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Senator-At-Large 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands LUNCH ________ _ 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM BLOCK II: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Financial and Administrative Oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project During this Block, the Committee will receive testimony and conduct a comprehensive examination of the financial and administrative oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. This follow-up hearing aims to clarify the progress made since July, identify any key items that remain incomplete, and assess how the project is tracking toward the pledged December 2025 completion date. 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 Julio Rhymer, Director, Office of Management & Budget • Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources • Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement • Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, Department of Public Works • Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation • Mr. John Wessel, Director of Operations, GEC, LLC / Coastal Systems USVI • Honorable Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, USVI Office of Disaster Recovery __________________________________________________________________________________ Sincerely, The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Chair, Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks Senator At Large, 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Courtesy Copy:______________________________________________________________________________ Cc: All Senators, All Chiefs of Staff, All Divisions of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, All Members of the Virgin Islands Media