An announcement from VIGL Operations LLC on Tuesday sparked hope among St. Croix residents that long-delayed construction on the Randall “Doc” James racetrack will finally begin moving forward.
“VIGL Operations, LLC announced that it has signed a contract with U.S. Virgin Islands- based Atlantic Caribbean Consulting, LLC (ACC) as the Owner’s Representative to build” the racetrack, the press release stated.
“ACC will help guide VIGL Operations through the planning, development and construction of the entire redevelopment project, to be known as Caravelle West at Randall “Doc” James Racetrack,” VIGL said. The team behind ACC reportedly has extensive project planning, development and construction experience with various infrastructure projects including public housing, other public infrastructure, and commercial centers.
Since contract disputes over the construction and operation of the territory’s racetracks were settled between 2021 and 2022, Southland Gaming has substantially completed construction of the Clinton E. Phipps racetrack on St. Thomas, and the facility has hosted two race days this year, to much acclaim and relief from government officials.
However, even after promises by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. in 2022 that construction work on the St. Croix track would begin “soon”, and following the granting of $5 million in support by the Legislature to support the project, activity at the Randall “Doc” James racetrack was minimal. In 2023, VIGL decided to significantly downsize the proposed footprint for the facility, reducing grandstand seating capacity from 3,600 to 1,200 seating spaces.
In February of this year, a frustrated Governor Bryan issued a challenge to VIGL - build the track or abandon the contract. A few months later, the company secured a key approval from the Casino Control Commission, which granted the company a 1-year license to operate a casino at the racetrack location, permission VIGL says was absolutely necessary for them to move forward with the project.
Now, with the onboarding of ACC to manage the construction project, VIGL says it expects actual construction work to begin this September.
