A.O. Shirley Track Gets $1.2M Resurfacing Contract
A $1.2 million contract was signed on June 17 for the supply, installation and supervision of a new track surface at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground, bringing the project closer to restoring World Athletics Class 2 Certification. According to the RDA, the first phase — manufacturing and shipping the specialised system — will take about four months, followed by removal of the old surface and installation by Mondo America Inc.
Government officials, sporting bodies and an international supplier have taken a visible step forward in restoring the athletics track at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town with a contract signed to replace the facility's running surface. The $1.2 million contract was signed on June 17 between the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and Mondo America Inc. for the supply, installation and supervision of the resurfacing works, according to BVI News.
The project is being funded through a partnership involving the Virgin Islands government, the BVI Olympic Committee and PanAm Sports, with the RDA overseeing implementation. Officials say the new surface will meet international standards. Representatives of the Virgin Islands government, the BVI Olympic Committee/Pan Am Sports, the RDA and Mondo America previously signed an agreement to deliver a track that officials say will achieve World Athletics Class 2 Certification once completed (VINO).
That certification indicates the facility will meet technical specifications for competition surfaces, allowing the BVI to host higher-level international events and making it easier to ratify performances recorded there. The RDA provided a timeline for the first phase of the project.
According to the agency, the initial phase will take about four months: roughly two months to manufacture the specialised track system and another two months to ship it to the Territory. Once the material arrives, contractors will remove the existing surface and install the new track (BVI News).
Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie B. de Castro described the project as more than a construction initiative, saying it is an investment in athletes and youth. "Every race begins with a starting block. Every dream begins with an opportunity, and every champion needs a track beneath their feet," she said, calling resurfacing a "significant investment in the future of Virgin Islands sports" (BVI News).
Wheatley welcomed the agreement as an investment in the Territory's future and the heart of local athletics, echoing the benefits officials expect for athletes and the broader community (BVI News). RDA Board Chairman Jerry Samuel highlighted the potential economic benefits, saying the upgraded facility could support sports tourism and help diversify the Territory's tourism product and strengthen its economic base (BVI News).
The resurfacing work is linked to ongoing recovery from the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017; the A.O. Shirley Grounds is the Territory's primary track and field venue used by community groups, school teams and athletics clubs (VINO/BVI News). Officials say the upgrade will improve athlete safety, extend the track's service life and support grassroots programmes as well as elite competitors.
While no final certification date has been announced, the project timeline and contract signing mark a significant step forward. Residents and sporting organisations expect the resurfacing to boost local sporting tourism, create safer training conditions, and strengthen the pipeline for young athletes aiming for regional and international competition.
The Territory will continue to monitor progress as Mondo America mobilises for installation and the certification process begins.
Primary source: VINO