TORTOLA - The $10 million Multipurpose Sports Complex will openin Road Town on June 27, a top British Virgin Islands governmentofficial has announced.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Lloyd Black made theannouncement during a Friday afternoon press conference at theCentral Administration Complex in Road Town.
The Sports Complex will open in time for the start of the YouthSummer Basketball Camp, to be held from June 28 to July 2. The campis affiliated with DNJ Promotions and Management and the MagicJohnson Foundation.
'The completion of the Multipurpose Complex is an important stepin the overall socioeconomic developmental plan of our territory,'Black said. 'It is a much-needed facility, which our government iscommitted to completing so that our sports teams and our citizenswill be able to enjoy the benefits of this structure, to meet thesporting and recreational needs of the BVI.'
The Sports Complex's construction at A.O. Shirley RecreationGrounds began in 2001 at the urging of the Virgin Islands PartyGovernment. At the time of the groundbreaking ceremony, thebuilding's price tag was $7 million.
'On the heels of celebrating our first anniversary, thegovernment of the day has consistently kept its word to the peopleof the territory by continuing to deliver on the goods, services andprograms which we promised,' Black said.
He added that workers are aiming for a 'substantial completion'of the building by June 27. 'It will not be totally completed untilthe end of July, but substantial completion for occupancy would beby June 27,' Black said. 'The budget cost is just under $10 million,and we are looking at a seating capacity in excess of 3,500occupants on an upper and lower level.'
Black said a management structure is in the works. He said he isnot certain that it will be in place by the June 27 opening. 'It isour intention that the operation of the facility will be through anorganized management structure independent of government.'
The BVI Amateur Basketball Association has not had a league since2001, although a group of players has organized a Summer HoopsXplosion league during the last two years. Association PresidentElvis Harrigan said plans are being drawn up for a league that istentatively scheduled to begin July 4.
