Governor says revised agreement reflects stakeholder input and advances a responsible path to restore horse racing on St. Croix and strengthen the sport Territory-wide
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has called the members of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands into Special Session on Tuesday, July 21, to consider the revised horse racing agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Southland Gaming Virgin Islands LLC.
The Governor’s call follows several meetings with key stakeholders involved in the future of horse racing in the Territory, including the Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association, the St. Thomas-St. John Horsemen Association, the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission, Southland Gaming Virgin Islands LLC and members of the Legislature. Those meetings provided an opportunity for stakeholders to raise concerns, offer recommendations and help shape revisions to the agreement now before the Legislature.
Governor Bryan said the revised agreement represents a serious and good-faith effort to address concerns raised during the review process while keeping the Territory focused on the larger goal of restoring horse racing as a cultural, recreational and economic institution in the Virgin Islands.
“This agreement has been discussed, questioned, reviewed and revised. That is how the process should work,” Governor Bryan said. “We listened to the horsemen, we listened to lawmakers and we listened to the concerns raised by the people most directly connected to this sport. The revised agreement now before the Legislature reflects that engagement and gives us a responsible path forward.”
The proposed agreement would advance the long-awaited reconstruction of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix, support the continued operation of horse racing on St. Thomas and establish a more unified framework for the sport across the Territory.
Governor Bryan said restoring horse racing is about more than rebuilding a racetrack. It is about preserving a tradition deeply rooted in Virgin Islands culture while creating opportunities for economic activity, community engagement and positive outlets for young people.
“For generations, horse racing has been part of who we are as Virgin Islanders,” Governor Bryan said. “It has brought families together, supported small businesses, created jobs and given many of our young men a place to learn discipline, responsibility and pride. We have an opportunity now to bring that back in a way that is structured, sustainable and fair to the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The Governor emphasized that the revised agreement is the product of continued dialogue and said the Special Session gives lawmakers the opportunity to bring the matter to a clear public vote.
“This issue has been before us for a long time,” Governor Bryan said. “The people who care about this sport, the horsemen who have kept it alive and the communities that have waited years for progress deserve a decision. I am calling this Special Session because it is time for the Legislature to consider the revised agreement and determine the path forward.”
Governor Bryan thanked the members of the horse racing community, the Legislature and all stakeholders who participated in the review process.
“This has not always been easy, but meaningful progress rarely is,” Governor Bryan said. “What matters is that we stayed at the table, worked through the concerns and kept the focus on what is best for the Territory. I urge the Legislature to give this revised agreement its full and fair consideration.”
###
Comments are closed