Finally .... the much needed Sports Complex .... Ha?

There were plans for a Zip Line at the Cane Bay area. It fell through . I think it was because they could not find backers becasuse we do not have enough cruise ships to support it. Same thing would happen to a water park.

I heard the reason the zip line at Cane Bay was axed was due to the excessive cost of liability insurance. Break a leg or something and everyone sues. That is why the only zip lines on STX are private.

Zip Lines, Water Park - both would be so nice - it's true - there are not enough things for people to do on STX to keep them coming back.

I wonder why it is so difficult and expensive to do some inter-island holidays. Like the long weekend City Breaks that they have in Europe. It would be nice to visit another island for just 2 or 3 days on a flight and hotel package - when it is only an hour flying time usually, sometime less. Especially during hurricane season.

Zip Lines, Water Park - both would be so nice - it's true - there are not enough things for people to do on STX to keep them coming back.

You wouldn't know that by reading the STX forum on TA where there are contributors who've been coming back to STX every year for up to 20 years and are ardent ambassadors to their favorite vacation spot!!

Zip Lines, Water Park - both would be so nice - it's true - there are not enough things for people to do on STX to keep them coming back.

You wouldn't know that by reading the STX forum on TA where there are contributors who've been coming back to STX every year for up to 20 years and are ardent ambassadors to their favorite vacation spot!!

That's not every visitor. I'm sure you understand this.

Zip Lines, Water Park - both would be so nice - it's true - there are not enough things for people to do on STX to keep them coming back.

You wouldn't know that by reading the STX forum on TA where there are contributors who've been coming back to STX every year for up to 20 years and are ardent ambassadors to their favorite vacation spot!!

That's not every visitor. I'm sure you understand this.

A very large percentage of Trip Advisors "regular posters" and almost all of the "destination experts" have some sort of financial stake in the destination. For each question asked on TA, you'll find at least two answers by "regulars". For each negative (or even slightly negative comment) you'll find at least five rebuttals from regulars. TA is highly censored to favor positive reviews. After all, the site receives it's revenues from tourist based business advertisers.

My point is: using TA as basis for determining market demand is not statistically sound. Read 'Rum Diaries'. TA is 2012 example of media manipulation.

A water park is great idea, Hops. I especially like that the consturction will ultilize a skilled labor force already on island (ex-HOVENSA).

A very large percentage of Trip Advisors "regular posters" and almost all of the "destination experts" have some sort of financial stake in the destination. For each question asked on TA, you'll find at least two answers by "regulars". For each negative (or even slightly negative comment) you'll find at least five rebuttals from regulars. TA is highly censored to favor positive reviews.

Simply untrue. TA "destination experts" and "regular posters" who have business interests in the USVI unfailingly point out that fact when responding to questions related to their particular business even when the connection is tenuous at best and, if and when they don't, they're called out on it. Exactly the same sort of "rebuttals" you'll find on TA in response to posted negatives are exactly the same as you'll find on the VINow or any other travel/visitor's forum. I firmly disagree that TA is "highly censored to favor positive reviews" and this is patently obvious to anyone who takes the time to read the many reviews on the site whether they pertain to stores, accommodations, restaurants, boat charters, beaches or attractions.

All legitimate forums have TOS, and I've no doubt that being a moderator on any public forum is a thankless task. You probably have no idea how many posts are removed from VINow which go against its TOS ...

That's not every visitor. I'm sure you understand this.

Of course I do.

While there are many ideas being discussed in the press and public hearings regarding our islands, I feel we have the best option right in front of our faces on St. Croix. We are so lucky to have an island of unique and very rare historic Caribbean beauty in our little villages of Christiansted and Frederiksted. Both of these town could save our islands economy and rebuild a strong sense of community. I see this as our ONLY major hope for restarting our island tourism and putting money back in all of our pockets.

The best examples to compare with are Charleston, SC and Savannah, Ga. Both of these cities have had tremendous rebirths over the last few decades. Like our little cities, both Charleston and Savannah were close to complete despair and economic and social ruin. Then local citizens (with some local government help) started a restoration explosion with a new program call Revolving Funds that made no or low interest loans to building owners to fix up or totally restore their property. What seemed like overnight both of these cities started attracting tourist and Charleston has gone from little tourism to one of the top ten tourist destinations in the USA...not bad for a little city with ugly brown sea water all around!

The Caribbean is so full of tacky tourist islands that all look and feel basically the same to me. Our little island of St. Croix could follow a massive restoration and show the world a very unique authentic Caribbean destination like no other island. No other island in the whole Caribbean has this amount of intact historic buildings!!!

So if the local government want to put our tax money into developing new tourism...then look to the past and help our local people restore, rebuild and re-brain this rare jewel of the Caribbean!!!!

MGW might have the right approach. Get back to what we can claim as our own and something that differentiates the VI from other destinations. Why be one of several?

I don't know, but I think that you have such an abundance of ocean surrounding us- we should utilize the resources which we have on hand (in an environmentally safe matter).

A Salt Water Theme Park- you know, the kind of water park which could use salt water. Maybe an underwater hotel or resort....It's obvious that the industrial side won't be revived in the near future- mitigate the sites (by the responsible parties) and turn the land into a large eco friendly water park...

We all thought it was dead .... when the outside GlobeVest was properly vetted ..... NOT. That was just a small side track. RFP time again. Ouch !!! Can anyone in this Gov.t see that we need near term solutions to cut costs (address bloated Gov.t / spending) and way too high electric rates. Fix existing problems first before getting into speculative ventures.

http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/local-news/2012/07/17/dejongh-acknowledges-globevest-vetting-flawed

We need to fix our infrastructure to attract investment (WAPA cost and reliability as well as our out of control insurance costs). Then how about we hire tourist industry experts to determine exactly what we need to do to attract tourists here who will spend money? How about we hire hotel industry experts and financial experts to detemine how to attract much needed projects with actual financing and people with the experience to make it happen? Oh wait..... I'm sorry I forgot where i am. Nevermind.......

SHOOOOSH, I thought I was dreaming! Reading a comment that made sense. Man......you are nuts if you think logic will kick in! Funny comment.

WAPA is going to destroy and hold back any future development (private) on island without Hovensa. Just too expensive and the gov't is not going to make tough wallet decisions until in the grave! My humble opinion.

Our Commander in Thief is slowly being exposed for the criminal that he is, trying to give millions to 3 felons. All he had to do was google them. Or get a credit score. What is somewhat hope inspiring is that these guys had been cooperating with the Feds and so their activities here were likely part of a sting getting Guv to send this contract to the senate who nearly voted on it had it not been for the article. One of the three pleaded guilty back in March. None of the local Feds told Guv that they people he had offered the taxpayers' $350 million were plead felons cooperating with them. I hope they were wearing wires.

Jamison- hate to break it to you but the article in the STT based newspaper effectively blocked STX from getting this project off the ground, thus preserving their monopoly on tourist $$ for the foreseeable future.

The article in the Daily News did a thorough job of picking apart the personal lives of some members of Globevest, but it did miss the point regarding the project. The vote this week was not for the green light on the $30 mil. It was for $5 mil for engineering, feasibility studies, demolition of the existing condemned structure (probably coated in lead based paint and expensive to demo and dispose of safely), etc. If the feasibility study didn't work out, or if the partners in Globevest didn't cough up their $25 million, then the contract was written so that the Sports Complex idea would be thrown out, but Frederiksted still got a new ball park, parking lots, Christmas festival village, and so forth, a plan which has been in the works for years and years already.

With the recent exposé, Globevest probably loses, but so does Frederiksted, which would have gotten something either way, but now probably gets nothing. Oh well, I guess our kids can keep playing in the dirt with sticks and rocks a little longer. That is what I did, and I survived.

Kenneth Mapp had had detailed plans for a sports complex. The only thing that the article hurt was deJongh's image. We have the money, the land, and the concept for a sporting stadium. We never needed globe vest. Slowly but surely the governor is being exposed for the lying thieving financial incompetent that he always was.

Jamison- hate to break it to you but the article in the STT based newspaper effectively blocked STX from getting this project off the ground, thus preserving their monopoly on tourist $$ for the foreseeable future.

The article in the Daily News did a thorough job of picking apart the personal lives of some members of Globevest, but it did miss the point regarding the project. The vote this week was not for the green light on the $30 mil. It was for $5 mil for engineering, feasibility studies, demolition of the existing condemned structure (probably coated in lead based paint and expensive to demo and dispose of safely), etc. If the feasibility study didn't work out, or if the partners in Globevest didn't cough up their $25 million, then the contract was written so that the Sports Complex idea would be thrown out, but Frederiksted still got a new ball park, parking lots, Christmas festival village, and so forth, a plan which has been in the works for years and years already.

With the recent exposé, Globevest probably loses, but so does Frederiksted, which would have gotten something either way, but now probably gets nothing. Oh well, I guess our kids can keep playing in the dirt with sticks and rocks a little longer. That is what I did, and I survived.

Kenneth Mapp had had detailed plans for a sports complex. The only thing that the article hurt was deJongh's image. We have the money, the land, and the concept for a sporting stadium. We never needed globe vest. Slowly but surely the governor is being exposed for the lying thieving financial incompetent that he always was.

Has anyone done any research to see if its financially viable? Has anyone determined if this is the best way to attract investment which may provide much needed jobs here in St. Croix? Or is this just another idea someone had. Has anyone done the math? Is there really a demand for a "sports complex" from off islanders which would attract sports teams here? Where is the research to prove it?

Instead of wasting our precious and dwindling resources on more of the same, perhaps our illustrious elected representatives should find out why there is no ritz carlton on St. Croix or why there is no Yacht Haven Grand on St. Croix and address the underlying issues which have prevented us from having much needed development.

Or we could just hope that Senator "Positive's" solution to our problems of legalizing marijuana will be the answer to our economic woes......

LOL

Legalizing the growing of marijuana for shipment to the mainland would go a long way to help.

It will happen some day.

Just sayin...

This article in the VI Daily News. Kudos to them for investigative reporting. We need more investigative reporting. They'd win a Pulitzer if they just started digging more.
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/after-st-croix-stadium-complex-failure-dejongh-pledges-due-diligence-on-deals-1.1345130

Honestly, $5 million tab just for a study that's the scam. $5 million of taxpayer money goes to these fraudsters and then, oops, not feasible after all. That's how it always works with these development scams and investors. Taxpayer left holding the bag time and time again.

I can think of better uses of these funds and programs. Let's start with roads. How about an island-wide bike path? People would be healthier, wouldn't have to risk their lives on such narrow shoulders, and get some taxi curbs for these poor people risking death everytime they get out. These basic services are direly needed for locals and tourists alike and would enhance the entire island and well being of its residents to get around rather than gas guzzling cars. Mopeds would be great with better roads. How about roundabouts? How about funding the public library?.?
How about convert downtown Christiansted into a pedestrian mall? Get rid of ugly cars and open up the charm of the architecture. That would bring tourists and focus money on development already in place.
A water park is absurd. Artificial environments are for mainlanders with little imagination or appreciation for nature. The beaches are glorious and all that's needed. . Let water park people head to tacky Vegas for their vacation.
This is what's needed. Improve quality of live with basic infrastructure and you'll see a boom.

Back in the 70's (I think) the VI Daily News did win a pulitizer.

Actually it was 1995 when the paper was owned by the Gannett Company. It was subsequently purchased by the infamous Jeffrey Prosser and, following the dissolution of his kingdom it was purchased by the Times Shamrock who still currently own it.

Can't close C-sted until they get a way around it finished. Then where would you park all of the cars of the people who work or shop there?:-o

Actually it was 1995 when the paper was owned by the Gannett Company. It was subsequently purchased by the infamous Jeffrey Prosser and, following the dissolution of his kingdom it was purchased by the Times Shamrock who still currently own it.

In case anyone is curious about how our island paper won a Pulitzer (you can even read the stories submitted as part of the entry) ...

http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/1995-Public-Service

The Daily Avis cracks me up. It's always got some great srcew ups and is so overly doom and gloom it's laughable.

The Daily Avis cracks me up. It's always got some great srcew ups and is so overly doom and gloom it's laughable.

There's the Daily News and the Avis, but not the "Daily Avis". I enjoy reading both - and they both have amusing editing goofs from time to time - as they often have different slants on local stories for a more well-rounded general account. I actually prefer the Avis format and find it more "reader-friendly" while it's minimal advertising inserts (the Snooze sometimes hefts more like the NY Sunday Times with sheer "throw-away" bulk) appeals more. Between those two and the online Source I think we have pretty decent news coverage for such a small community.

We definitely do have good news coverage, for such a small community. And yes, my bad, just the Avis, not the Daily Avis. lol.