DSPR reports FEMA repairs advancing on St. John; $1M EDA grant to fund Oppenheimer Beach revitalization

Acting Commissioner Vincent Roberts of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation told the Legislature’s Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks on Feb. 21 that FEMA-supported repairs on St. John are moving forward and that the department won a $1,000,000 subaward from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for Oppenheimer Beach.

Roberts said, “We are thankful that our Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, projects are steadily advancing in the restoration of our storm damage facilities.” He identified four FEMA projects on St. John; two have been completed and two are in the architectural-and-engineering phase.

Why it matters: The projects are the largest near-term capital work affecting recreation and safety on St. John. Committee members pressed for firm timelines because repaired facilities are intended for community programs, summer camps and revenue-generating rentals.

Details and status: Roberts and Deputy Director Elroy Hill said the Albert (Orville) Brown basketball court and Cruz Bay tennis courts have been resurfaced and restriped (pickleball lines added). The A/E design for the Cruz Bay Recreational Center is “approximately 90% completed” and drawings have been submitted to FEMA for approval; Winston Wells Park A/E is also at about 90% for repairs to bleachers, concession and press box. The department said the Bar Field is currently occupied by Department of Education modular classrooms and will be repaired once vacated.

Oppenheimer Beach: Roberts and Hill described a $1,000,000 EDA subgrant (award number 017915177) for revitalization and coastal protection of Oppenheimer Beach’s facility. “We need a geotechnical study,” Roberts said; the department reported it has signed a task order for a geotechnical study to guide coastal protection design. Hill said the department received roughly $79,000 in insurance proceeds previously—insufficient for repairs—and the EDA subaward is intended to fund erosion protection and building revitalization.

Committee members and community leaders asked whether the grant requires a local match and whether the award is reimbursable; Elroy Hill said he would provide those details to senators. Hill and Roberts told the committee the EDA work does not expire in the near term and that the project team is pursuing design and permitting steps before construction. A vendor originally hired to do geotechnical work died during the procurement process, the department said, which delayed the start.

Funding for other capital work: In addition to the $1,000,000 EDA subaward for Oppenheimer, Roberts said the department received a $1.6 million subaward to revitalize or retrofit 10 playground projects and $500,000 for a four-wheel recreational facility; those projects are at varying planning stages. The department also cited insurance proceeds used on repairs and that it has invested in recent equipment purchases to speed maintenance work.

What’s next: FEMA approval of A/E drawings will dictate scheduling for the Cruz Bay Recreational Center and Winston Wells Park. Hill said the geotechnical work for Oppenheimer is under way and that the department expects to receive soils data to finalize design. Senators asked the department to provide timelines, reimbursement/match details and procurement records for the EDA award and FEMA projects.

Ending: Commissioners said they will return with follow-up materials, including procurement status and any local-match obligations for EDA funds, and asked the committee for continued oversight as designs move toward construction.