Repairs to Mondo track at A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds underway

January 21, 2019 by

The resurfacing material for the track, supplied by Mondo USA, was purchased by the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) with funds secured from PanAm Sports. The Recovery and Development Agency, in consultation with the BVIOC, the BVI Athletic Association, the Ministry of Education and Culture (with responsibility for Sports), and the Recreational Trust, is overseeing the rebuild of the facilities including the track.

Rehabilitation works on the track at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds has commenced and is expected to continue for approximately four weeks.

The Grounds’ facilities suffered damage as a result of the passage of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The resurfacing material for the track, supplied by Mondo USA, was purchased by the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) with funds secured from PanAm Sports. The Recovery and Development Agency, in consultation with the BVIOC, the BVI Athletic Association, the Ministry of Education and Culture (with responsibility for Sports), and the Recreational Trust, is overseeing the rebuild of the A.O. Shirley Grounds including the bidding process and engagement of contractors for the installation and repairs to the facilities.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Education and Culture, Dr. Marcia Potter has expressed satisfaction with the commencement of reconstruction of the track at the grounds and is cautioning the public about its use during this time.

Dr. Potter said, “I am indeed happy to see the commencement of this project. Our athletes will once again be able to practice and develop their skills in a space that is conducive to do so. During this time of reconstruction, however, the A. O. Shirley Grounds will not be open for use by anyone. This precautionary measure is to ensure the safety of the public and the ease in carrying out the works that will result in an improved track.”

The Grounds will be cordoned off so as not to be used as a thoroughfare in order for the track to be protected so the repair works can be effective. Trainers, athletes and other persons as asked to refrain from using the recreation grounds while the works are being carried out.

Once completed the refurbished track will once again be suitable for training and recreation, and be of the standard to host regional and international competition.

The A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds facilitates training to a wide cross section of athletes including track and field, shotput, long jump, soccer and rugby, and for recreational activities. It is part of the Ministry of Education and Culture’s portfolio under the Recreation Trust.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: , , ,

New running track surface for A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground en route

November 16, 2018 by

Facilitated by BVIOC with funds secured from PanAm Sports

A.O. Shirley Recreations Grounds – post Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Photo: CM Farrington/BVIOC

A new surface for the running track at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town, Tortola is expected to arrive into the Virgin Islands around November 19. The resurfacing material, supplied by Mondo USA, was purchased by the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) with funds secured from PanAm Sports to repair the track which was damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.

Mondo USA was one of two agencies specialising in track surfaces engaged by PanAm Sports to assess the damage to the track at the A.O. Shirley Grounds. The other agency was Beynon Sports and Mondo USA was awarded the contract after PanAm Sports reviewed the two agencies’ reports following their visits to the VI in January and after consulting with the BVIOC.

“PanAm Sports has been exceptionally responsive to the request from the BVIOC for assistance with the rebuild of sports in the Virgin Islands after Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said Ephraim Penn, President, BVIOC.

Following the destruction of sports facilities in the VI caused by the 2017 storms, Mr. Penn had communicated with various resources at Olympic level to request assistance with the rebuild of facilities and sports in the territory. PanAm Sports subsequently set up a special fund to assist those territories affected by the hurricanes.

“I am particularly impressed and grateful for the support and encouragement that we have received and continue to receive from Mr. Neven Ilic, President of PanAm Sports and his staff,” said Mr. Penn. “The appreciation from athletes and sporting bodies who are benefitting from their help is palpable and as the National Olympic Committee, we are excited to see the tangible and positive steps towards the reinstatement of sports in the Virgin Islands.”

The BVIOC has also secured partial funding from PanAm Sports to assist with the repairs to the recreation ground facilities and perimeter walls which were destroyed during the hurricanes. The grounds and facilities are used by schools and sporting associations including Athletics, Rugby and Football.

The Recovery and Development Agency in consultation with the BVIOC, the BVI Athletic Association, the Ministry for Education, Culture and Sports and the Recreational Trust will oversee the rebuild of the A.O. Shirley Grounds including the bidding process and engagement of contractors for the installation and repairs to the facilities.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Steps underway for the rebuild of the track surface at the A.O. Shirley Grounds

February 12, 2018 by

By BVIOC

L-R, members of BVIAA, DYAS Director Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye, BVIOC President Mr. Ephraim Penn, Mr. Cluesener and Mr. Hernandez of Beynon Sports, BVIAA President Steve Augustine & Recreation Department staff. Photo: BVIOC

The two major storms which affected the territory in 2017 – Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, caused severe damage to the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds which is the BVI’s main sporting facility. Particularly, the track surface was left in very poor shape in the wakes of these disasters.

The President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Mr. Ephraim Penn took the initiative to tap into various resources at the Olympic level to see how they could assist with facilitating the rebuilding and restarting of sports for the BVIOC members, particularly Track and Field.

To that end, Panam Sports President, Mr. Neven Ilic agreed to help affected countries including the BVI, to provide funding from Panam Sports to help repair the track surface. Panam Sports contracted two agencies which specialize in track surfaces, Mondo USA and Beynon Sports to assess the damage to the track surfaces at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

Last week, both agencies visited the territory to conduct a full-scale assessment and were joined by BVIOC President, Mr. Ephraim Penn, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye, BVI Athletics Association’s President, Mr. Steve Augustine, members of the BVIOC Executive, members of the BVIAA Executive, Director of the Recreation Trust, Mr. Stephen Payne and personnel responsible for the maintenance of the A.O. Shirley Grounds.

The two agencies will submit reports to Panam Sports who will then consult with the BVIOC in awarding a contract to one of the agencies to repair the track surface.

Mr. Ephraim Penn was very pleased with the support of Panam Sports in starting the process of rebuilding sports in the territory.

Filed Under: Archery, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: , ,