Senate committee backs reprogramming $5 million to restart long-delayed Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on St. Croix

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on Oct. 7 approved an amended measure to reprogram $5,000,000 previously appropriated to a private developer so the funds can be used directly by the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to begin repairing and preparing the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on St. Croix.

The action, approved by the committee and forwarded to the Rules and Judiciary Committee, would remove the previous grant requirement to VIGL Operations LLC and allow DSPR to manage the initial work to restore the facility for horse training and future racing events.

Why it matters: Supporters described the racetrack as a cultural and economic anchor for St. Croix that has been stalled for nearly a decade after the private developer failed to meet contractual milestones. Committee members and local horsemen said reestablishing a safe running surface, stables and basic infrastructure will allow local trainers and owners to return horses to the island and begin to rebuild the industry.

What the committee approved and why: Sponsor Senator Avery L. Lewis and others argued the appropriation should revert to DSPR because the franchise agreement with VIGL did not deliver. Commissioner Vincent Roberts testified the reprogrammed $5,000,000 would pay for design, construction management, a complete running-surface assessment and initial site and stable repairs but is not expected to complete a full modernization of the facility. “This measure is crucial to advancing sports, recreation, and economic development on Saint Croix,” Roberts told the committee.

Stakeholders including the Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association and the Saint Croix Racing Commission urged passage. Elroy Bates Jr., president of the Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association, told senators, “We, the members of the Flamboyant Park Horseman Association, strongly support this bill.” Dodson K. James, chairman of the Saint Croix Racing Commission, said the funding would begin repairs to the racing surface and stable area and called the measure a “major beginning.”

Scope and constraints: Officials described several constraints. Roberts and other witnesses said the $5,000,000 will not complete the project; DSPR estimates total reconstruction and modernization at about $12 million to $14 million. An assessment conducted by an equine risk specialist was priced at roughly $42,000 and preliminary results indicate nearly half a mile of the racetrack subgrade must be removed and replaced because the previous work used an inappropriate base material. Commissioner Roberts told the committee the running surface work alone could cost roughly $1 million to $1.5 million, and preliminary stable-area repairs were estimated at about $2 million.

Funding and other sources: Committee members asked about other funds previously earmarked for racetrack projects. Roberts said $7.5 million in FEMA-designated funds exist for racetrack work but FEMA determined some of that money could not be used on the Randall "Doc" James site because, at the time of the disaster, the property and operations were not under government control. He said about $4.2 million remains assigned to Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack (St. Thomas) and $3.5 million to St. Croix in prior FEMA allocations; none of that money is currently usable for Randall James without further FEMA action.

Project management and timeline: DSPR said it has hired a construction management firm (through Office of Disaster Recovery project assignments) and will finalize 100% design drawings within weeks. With procurement and contracting required, officials estimated that work paid for by the $5,000,000—once contracts are let—could require roughly eight to nine months for substantial completion of the phase funded by this appropriation. Commissioner Roberts and project staff said they intend to prioritize the running surface and stable repairs so horses and trainers can return to St. Croix.

Committee action and next steps: The committee approved the bill as amended by roll call (committee tally reported as 5 yes, 1 no, 1 absent) and sent it on to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration. The amendment struck language that had required DSPR to grant the funds to VIGL and left the appropriation available until expended under DSPR stewardship. The committee requested continued reporting and documentation of project schedules, scope-of-work documents, and procurement plans.

Stakeholders' reaction and context: Horsemen said the appropriation is long overdue and will begin to restore jobs tied to the sport—grooms, exercise riders, trainers and stable workers—but cautioned that the territory must secure additional funding or a private promoter to finish the full modernization. Several senators and witnesses also urged DSPR to pursue private investment and to publish procurement notices to attract qualified promoters.

Closing: Supporters called the appropriation a necessary “first step” toward restoring an island institution and its economic activity; critics urged clear timelines, stronger procurement oversight, and realistic budgeting to avoid repeated delays or additional cost overruns.