Local leaders broke ground on Tues. Oct. 19, 2021 for the Frederiksted Pool (Vincent F. Mason Sr. Coral Resort) rebuild. Photo Credit: OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Vincent F. Mason Sr. Coral Resort, known as the Frederiksted Pool area, on Tuesday morning kicking off the first of what the V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery says will be "many large recovery projects planned for FY 2022."
According to an O.D.R. release, construction will commence this week on the $2.2 million FEMA-funded project to restore the recreational facility after ocean storm surge and severe winds from Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the park's pool, fencing, and security lighting.
"Today's groundbreaking is the culmination of months of hard work and the beginning of the transformation of Frederiksted," said Governor Albert Bryan said. "A transformation, not to return the glory days of yesteryear, but to usher in the boundless promise of tomorrow while keeping the culture and the spirit of what makes Frederiksted unique."
He added, "The Bryan-Roach Administration has invested in that promise and is committed to rebuilding Frederiksted with more than $247 million in total projects, and I look forward to working with the Legislature to bring these projects to fruition for our people."
Residents from Christiansted and Frederiksted flocked to the park on the far western end of the island, where children learned to swim and adults played dominoes and cards, sharing family-friendly food and fun, stated the release. The bathrooms, tiki shelters, grilling stations, picnic tables and electrical systems will all be restored, returning the beloved facility to its original grandeur by summer 2022.
"You are going to be pleased when this facility is completed and reopened to the people of the Virgin Islands, said Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White. "A lot of the work that went into where we are today, having a contractor on site, started years ago and is the product of teamwork amongst various agencies. I would like to acknowledge the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement, Planning and Natural Resources, Public Works, Office of Disaster Recovery, and my staff at the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for their dedication."
The five-acre recreation center near Sandy Point in Frederiksted was named in honor of long-time DSPR employee and ardent community sports fan and supporter Vincent Mason, Sr., in 1980. It quickly became one of the island's primary recreational facilities hosting a wide array of activities on a regular basis prior to the 2017 storms.
"Today, we celebrate partnership, patience and progress," said O.D.R. Director Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien. "I would like to thank FEMA for the obligation and the support to bring this project to fruition, the family of Vincent Mason Sr. for their dedication to the people of Frederiksted and the community for their continued patience as we work to rebuild these Virgin Islands for the people. Let's continue to celebrate the wins along the way."
Mr. Bryan, Mrs. Williams-Octalien and Mr. White were joined by other officials for the event, among them Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, and Senators Novelle Francis, Senators Samuel Carrion, Javan James, Kenneth Gittens, Franklin Johnson and Kurt Vialet. Family members of Mr. Mason were also present.
