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: March 25, 2026 RE: AGENDA | Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks HEARING: Monday, April 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Frits E. Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will reconvene for a critical oversight hearing to examine investment, accountability, and completion timelines associated with two major capital projects: the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and the Clinton E. Phipps Horse Racing Track. This hearing reflects a renewed and necessary commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable progress following prior proceedings, including the July 2025 hearing, where significant issues remained unresolved and key deliverables were not met. These projects represent more than infrastructure; they reflect a promise to the people of the Virgin Islands, and this Committee is committed to ensuring that promise is fulfilled with integrity, urgency, and accountability. BLOCK I: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM “Financial and Administrative Oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project” This block will examine the financial and administrative oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project following the postponement of scheduled hearings in November 2025 and February 2026. The Committee will require clear updates, address unresolved issues, and enforce full accountability relative to the originally projected December 2025 completion timeline. 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. 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 • 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 LUNCH ________ _ 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM BLOCK II: 1:30 PM - 4:30 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, including any outstanding construction, regulatory, and logistical issues, and will receive testimony on delays related to permitting, funding gaps, and inter-agency coordination. The Committee will examine revenues from past racing events and require a detailed accounting of receipts and disbursements, with particular focus on the Horse Racing Initiative Fund, including its balance, recent expenditures, and district-level allocations, to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper use of funds supporting racetrack improvements and 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 • Honorable Hugo Hodge Jr., Chairman, USVI Horseracing Commission _________________________________________________________________________________________ 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