Virgin Islands Gov. Mapp Announces Plan And Partnership To Transform Horse Racing Industry
ST. THOMAS — From the onset of his administration, Governor Kenneth Mapp has had sports tourism at the forefront of his vision. He’s spoken about making St. Croix the horse racing mecca of the Caribbean, but his plans has since expanded, including St. Thomas in a vision that sees the rebranding and, importantly, rebuilding of the territory’s two aging horse racing facilities to international professional standards.
Today at a press conference held at Government House, Mr. Mapp — joined by administration officials to include Attorney General Claude Walker, Property and Procurement Commissioner Randolph Bennett, Public Works Commissioner Gustav James, Department of Finance Commissioner Valdamier Collens, among others — announced a partnership with VIGL Operations LLC, a Virgin Islands firm and operator of the Caravelle Hotel and Casino in Christiansted.
Mr. Mapp said VIGL’s parent company plans, designs, and operates casinos and other entertainment venues in Illinois and Louisiana. He said VIGL has enlisted a team of highly credentialed and experienced horse racing and betting experts to ensure that the two race tracks are built, renovated and operated to meet the highest standards of the racing industry. And he contended that the end result would be added revenue into the territory’s coffers through taxes and other related revenues; although an estimated figure was not given.
The plan, the governor said, aims to unify both islands’ horse racing communities, including combining the horse racing commission into one, with four members from St. Croix, four from the St. Thomas-St. John district, and the ninth member being the commissioner of Sports, Parks and Recreation. Commission members would be selected by the governor; and their stipend, for each live race, would increase to $500.
Read more: http://viconsortium.com/business/mapp-announces-plan-partnership-transform-horse-racing-industry-usvi/
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