Soccer Stadium and Shooting Range Government Leases Move Forward

On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance moved four government leases to the Rules and Judiciary Committee with favorable recommendations. One lease, if granted, would allow a soccer stadium with concession built in Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas. A second would allow a firearm training facility and shooting range in Estate Bovoni, Frenchmans Bay Quarter, St. Thomas.

The committee also moved forward a lease that would allow HKT Energy Consulting Group to operate an office and establish a warehouse in Submarine Base, No. 4 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas. The fourth and final lease is an extension of the lease that allows the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration to continue operating a Locator Outer Marker, which helps planes land in foul weather.

Michael Bornn, a council member of the VI Soccer Federation, testified that the federation had a vision that the five-acre site would enable not just a soccer facility but also areas for cricket, the VI Olympic facility, and possibly other sports.

Committee Chair Donna Frett-Gregory commented that the Senate had appropriated funds to help develop the site, and all parties should work together to ensure adequate common areas and parking. She questioned whether an amendment to the lease could include a memorandum of understanding with the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department. She said she did not want to see “history repeat itself” and mentioned the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project on St. Croix, which has been bumping along for almost 20 years.