Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project Vincent Roberts Commissioner The Department of Sports, Parks, & Recreation The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Monday, April 20, 2026 The Honorable Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Chairman Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Honorable Senators of the 36th Legislature, members of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks, central staff, and the listening and viewing audience. For the record, my name is Vincent L. Roberts, Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation. I appear before you today in response to the Committee’s subpoena regarding the Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project. I appreciate the opportunity to provide clarity on the Department’s role and to outline the operational realities associated with this facility. I want to be very clear, as I have stated previously before this body: DSPR is not responsible for the construction, procurement, or delivery of this project. Our major responsibility begins after completion, when the facility is formally turned over to the Department for operations and management. While DSPR is not the construction or project management entity, we serve as the end-user agency. In that role, we have worked in coordination with the Department of Public Works to help ensure the facility aligns with operational and community needs. Our involvement has included: • Providing input on multi-use design functionality • Reviewing layouts to support sports, events, and community programming • Advising on accessibility and safety standards, including ADA considerations • Participating in site visits and milestone reviews • Raising concerns when design changes or delays may impact usability Our focus has been to ensure that once completed, the facility is practical, functional, and capable of sustained use. Upon completion and formal turnover, DSPR will immediately implement a structured operational rollout, including: • Facility commissioning, safety certification, and readiness inspections • Deployment of a dedicated staffing model, including management, maintenance, and event personnel • Implement of standard operating procedures for scheduling, vendor coordination, and event management • A phased opening approach to ensure efficient operations before full-scale use. Based on comparable facilities and our operational experience, the projected annual cost to operate the stadium is between $1.5 million and $2.2 million. These costs are primarily driven by: • Personnel • Utilities, particularly stadium lighting and water • Field and facility maintenance • Equipment and supplies • Security and event operations It is important to recognize that facilities of this scale are high cost to maintain, and that reality must be factored into long-term planning. To offset these costs, DSPR will implement a diversified revenue model. Projected annual revenue is estimated to be between $800,000 and $1.6 million, generated through the stadium’s intended function as a multi-use national facility, supporting: • League play • Sports tourism initiatives • Facility rentals • Cultural events, concerts, and festivals • Vendor and concession fees • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities However, I want to be candid: Facilities of this nature are not typically profit-generating. Their value is measured by economic activity, community engagement, and utilization, not solely direct revenue. Consistent utilization will be critical to the facility’s success. There are several factors that must also be acknowledged. There is a risk of operational deficits if revenue does not meet projections, maintenance costs will remain consistently high, and any personnel shortage will affect upkeep of the facility and the ability to transform the venue from one event to another. In closing, DSPR stands ready to assume operational responsibility for the Paul E. Joseph Stadium upon its completion. We remain committed to ensuring that this facility is not only open but properly managed, fully utilized, and positioned as a long-term asset to the Territory. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am available to answer any questions you and the committee have. EXHIBIT A OPERATIONAL RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS Paul E. Joseph Stadium Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (DSPR) This exhibit outlines the minimum personnel, equipment, and supply requirements necessary to support the full-time operation of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium upon completion and turnover to the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation. I. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS Core Staffing (Daily Operations) • Grounds Supervisor (1) • Grounds Crew (3–5) • Custodial Staff (3-4) • Maintenance Technicians (2) • Electrical / Lighting Technician (1) Event-Based Staffing (As Needed) • Event Coordinator (1) • Ticketing Staff • Ushers • Concessions Oversight • Security Personnel (4–6 minimum, in coordination with VIPD) Estimated Staffing Level • Daily Operations: 10–13 personnel • Event Operations: 25–35+ personnel II. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS Grounds & Field Maintenance • Commercial mowers (2–3) • Field striping machine • Turf maintenance equipment (aerators, rollers, seeders) • Irrigation system tools and controls Facility Maintenance • Power tools and repair equipment • Electrical diagnostic tools • Plumbing repair kits Event Operations • Portable staging equipment • Crowd control barricades and fencing Cleaning Equipment • Industrial floor scrubbers • Pressure washers • Waste management containers III. SUPPLIES (RECURRING) Maintenance Supplies • Fertilizer, grass seed, and turf materials • Paint (field striping and facility maintenance) • Electrical and plumbing consumables Cleaning & Sanitation • Cleaning chemicals • Restroom supplies (paper goods, soap) • Waste disposal materials Event Supplies • Ticketing materials • Wristbands and credentials • Signage and branding materials Safety & Compliance • First aid supplies • Fire safety equipment • ADA-compliant signage and materials IV. UTILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE • Electrical service (stadium lighting – high demand) • Water supply (irrigation and sanitation) • Waste management services • IT systems (Wi-Fi, ticketing, surveillance) V. OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS • The stadium must operate as a full-time facility, not an event-only venue • Adequate staffing and equipment are critical to safety, maintenance, and revenue generation • Under-resourcing will lead to accelerated deterioration, reduced usability, and increased long-term costs