With dozens of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded projects still in motion and aging public spaces in need of upkeep, Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner-nominee Vince Roberts says the path forward starts with finishing what’s been started — and finding ways to pay for what comes next.
“We started with about 56 FEMA projects — we’re down to 15,” Roberts said Monday after Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced his nomination during the weekly Government House presser. “The immediate goal is to finish those and make sure we use every dollar before we lose it.”
That includes major upgrades like lighting at Lionel E. Roberts Stadium and Griffith Park on St. Thomas, phase two of the D.C. Canegata Recreation Center on St. Croix, and improvements to Frederiksted facilities.
On St. Thomas, the department is also supporting a multiphase revitalization of Ezra Fredericks Ballpark in Estate Frydenhoj. A new playground and shaded seating have already opened, while construction on a new skate and bike park — led by the Virgin Islands Surfing Federation — is expected to be completed this spring. Upcoming work includes resurfacing the basketball court, adding restrooms and a concession stand, and renovating the maintenance office, Roberts said.
Meanwhile, another big milestone is set for this Friday: the reopening of the Vincent F. Mason Sr. Coral Resort Pool in Frederiksted. The five-acre waterfront complex, which includes the public pool, has undergone major improvements — new tiling, shaded cabanas, ADA-accessible features, barbecue grills, and updated playground equipment — all aimed at making the space more welcoming and inclusive. Roberts called the reopening “a major one for us,” and a step forward in restoring quality recreational facilities across the territory.
Still, Roberts was clear that building new isn’t enough. “We get money to build,” he said. “But maintenance and upkeep? That’s the hard part.”
To address that, Roberts said he’s also prioritizing revenue generation. The department, which operates on one of the smallest budgets in government, is looking to revive automated parking systems at Griffith Park, adjust rental fees to match market rates, and reintroduce facility rentals for popular spaces like Oppenheimer Beach on St. John.
While Oppenheimer isn’t a FEMA project, it is undergoing rehabilitation with support from an Economic Development Authority grant and Coastal Zone Management funds. The department is planning to bring the facility back online for weddings, events, and community use, generating income that can be used for upkeep not just there, but across DSPR properties.
“Oppenheimer is one of our more popular venues,” Roberts said. “We want to make it something that works for the community and helps sustain itself.”
Bryan, for his part, said Roberts’ experience made him the right choice to lead the department through this next chapter. “Mr. Roberts has given more than 18 years of dedicated service and has shown real leadership every step of the way,” he said during Monday’s briefing, adding that he hopes the Legislature will move quickly to confirm the nomination.
Roberts said he’s in the process of drafting a list of short- and long-term goals for the remainder of the administration’s term. That includes continuing to expand access to wellness and fitness programs, building more self-sufficient facilities, and ensuring public spaces remain usable and safe.
“We’ve come a long way,” Roberts said. “Now it’s about making sure we finish strong – and leave things better than we found them.”
