The sports complex reopened Friday after a $1.1 million restoration, featuring new lighting, resurfaced courts, a playground, and the start of the Dennis Brow 12U Invitational Baseball Tournament. Photo Credit: GOV'T HOUSE
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined local officials and community members on Friday to celebrate the official reopening of the Reinholdt Jackson Sports Complex in Estate Whim, marking the completion of a $1.1 million federally funded restoration project. The complex, a longstanding hub for community gatherings and youth sports, had been closed due to damage sustained during the 2017 hurricanes.
The newly renovated facility was reopened alongside Acting Commissioner of Sports, Parks and Recreation Vincent Roberts, Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams Octalien, and Kaj Reinholdt “Rookie” Jackson, for whom the complex is named, accompanied by his family.
Improvements to the facility include upgraded lighting, modernized dugouts, and restored fencing around the baseball field. A newly resurfaced basketball court, revamped tennis courts, and a brand-new playground round out the upgrades, which transform the site into a multi-use space for residents of all ages.
The reopening ceremony coincided with the kickoff of the Dennis Brow 12U Invitational Baseball Tournament, hosted at the complex this weekend. Youth teams from across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are participating, bringing renewed energy and purpose to the grounds while celebrating the return of community sports to Frederiksted.
“This field is a place where memories are made, where community grows, and where our young people learn the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” Governor Bryan said during the ceremony. “Reopening the Reinholdt Jackson Sports Complex restores more than just a facility. It restores hope. It invests in our future. It honors the legacy of Kaj Reinholdt ‘Rookie’ Jackson. His story is part of this community, and this complex will carry that legacy forward for generations.”
Mr. Roberts emphasized the moment’s significance for both the department and the wider Frederiksted community. “This is a proud moment for our department and for the Frederiksted community,” he stated. “We are giving our youth a safe and modern space to play and grow.”
For Ms. Williams-Octalien, the reopening held personal meaning. “I grew up in nearby Estate Two Williams and have so many fond memories of coming to this park with my family as a child,” she said. “To now return in this role and help bring it back to life is deeply personal. This is what recovery looks like—not just rebuilding, but restoring the spaces that shape who we are.”
She added that the Office of Disaster Recovery remains focused on pushing recovery efforts forward with “purpose and urgency,” so that more communities throughout the territory can benefit from similar investments.
