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'Drag racing stadium' could be built @ Beef Island- Premier

- said negotiations for 'Hung land' for airport expansion & possible drag racing stadium in arbitration phase
The Government of the Virgin Islands is advancing talks for the ‘Hung Land’ at Beef Island to expand the airport and perhaps add a drag racing stadium. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance with responsibility for Tourism, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said talks regarding acquisition of the 'Hung lands' at Beef Island are now in the arbitration stage. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance with responsibility for Tourism, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said talks regarding acquisition of the 'Hung lands' at Beef Island are now in the arbitration stage. Photo: GIS/File
The proposed drag racing facility could be built at Beef Island. Photo: dragillustrated.com/File
The proposed drag racing facility could be built at Beef Island. Photo: dragillustrated.com/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands is advancing talks for the ‘Hung Land’ at Beef Island to expand the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and perhaps add a drag racing stadium.

Premier and Minister of Finance with responsibility for Tourism Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said talks are now in the arbitration stage.

“Acquiring just over 600-plus acres of land will allow the Government to pursue development initiatives that will enhance the economy,” Premier Fahie said during a live televised broadcast on Friday, April 16 2021.

“Additionally, this is a possible site to house our proposed drag racing stadium, which is a potential opportunity for sports tourism, and this will attract increased visitor and cargo traffic to the Territory.”

The ‘Hung Land’ currently belongs to Chinese national Raymond Hung, who had plans to erect a resort and golf course more than 25 years ago.

To this date; however, the land remains undeveloped.

Back in February 2020, Premier Fahie had told the House of Assembly that the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) had appointed a special committee to negotiate the reacquisition of the Hung lands.

Quorum Island (BVI) Limited, owned by Mr Hung, had received a non-belonger’s land holding licence in 1995 for five parcels of land on Beef Island. A total of 669 acres was then signed over to the company by then-Governor Peter Alfred Penfold for development purposes.

‘Get ready to move!’

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie made a call to action for the Virgin Islands to get ready to move, “because our economy is going into overdrive,” and the opportunities for locals and residents, local and foreign investors over the next few weeks, months and years are immense.

“With all the work that has been done and with the strides that we have made in managing COVID-19, coupled with the optimism that is coming to light with the roll-out of vaccine programmes across the globe, as it relates to the resurgence of global trade, global travel and Tourism, it is now time to push our BVI economy into overdrive - and there is no turning back.”

He added: “The future in the Virgin Islands is for the prepared, and so, I once again urge all Virgin Islanders, Belongers, and residents to take note of the opportunities that are on the horizon and prepare yourselves so that you can participate and cash-in on these opportunities. We must remember that COVID-19 did not take away our much-sought pristine sailing waters and breathtaking sunsets and views. COVID-19 did not take away our beautiful beaches with white sand. COVID-19 did not take away our awe-inspiring coral reefs and magnificent dive sites. COVID-19 did not take away BVILOVE. Our main tourism products and attractions remain intact, and so does the demand for it.”

42 Responses to “'Drag racing stadium' could be built @ Beef Island- Premier”

  • WHAT!!! (19/04/2021, 10:11) Like (46) Dislike (7) Reply
    Drag racing stadium watch property values fall in the area.
    • To WHAT!! (19/04/2021, 12:49) Like (38) Dislike (3) Reply
      YEAH MON! The Education system is in shambles, but let's focus on drag racing. Yeah, sounds sensible SMH
    • @wHAT (19/04/2021, 13:50) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Property value already low because of the airport so what’s your point
    • farmer (19/04/2021, 14:44) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      IF YOU DAREEEEE take land for drag racing before putting land for farming, especially in the sister islands, I coming with a piece of wire wrist vine to give you some good beating!
  • my God (19/04/2021, 10:11) Like (51) Dislike (3) Reply
    SO YOU START WITH YOUR NONSENSE AGAIN ??.
  • taxman (19/04/2021, 10:14) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    When land is being signed over to developers there should be provisions that if it has not been developed within a certain time it automatically goes back to the government. What has the BVI gained from Mr. Hung sitting on this land for 25 years doing nothing with it?
    • @taxman (19/04/2021, 12:19) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply

      The BVI has gained this NOT being developed which is awesome because there is a HUGE amount of natural beauty and wildlife here that needs protection. The hotel wasn't able to be built because of Hans Creek becoming a protected area.

      • taxman (19/04/2021, 14:02) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
        Thats fine but surely in that case it should never have been sold in the first place. As many others have commented there are plenty of more realistic projects that the territory should focus on. Improving Pockwood and having functioning sewage and water would be a far better use of time and efforts which also benefit the environment.

        Drag racing tracks when the rest of the world is moving towards green technologies is completely barmy.
  • Rubber Duck (19/04/2021, 10:18) Like (75) Dislike (0) Reply
    Right after the Penguin Farm and the Canned Air Factory.

    Meanwhile how about fixing Pockwood pond which yesterday was belching out noxious fumes all over West End?

    It’s about priorities not dream schemes.
  • Well Sah (19/04/2021, 10:32) Like (62) Dislike (2) Reply
    So we turned down a 5 star hotel for a drag strip?
  • Guest (19/04/2021, 10:38) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lol I see it’s that time again. We dangle hopes of a track in front these silly carman and hope they don’t wise up and realize no politician is serious about this....lol...we only want their vote, that is the only thing them good for lol.....
  • What? (19/04/2021, 11:05) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a project that we would want? How about the scrubber for the incinerator, better water and sewage, better roads, open ferry ports..... I could write all day about projects we should be working on.
  • who know (19/04/2021, 11:13) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is there are trauma unit at the hospital? Because you know with drag racing there is bound to have accidents. Just saying!
  • My girl (19/04/2021, 11:19) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    How about getting the High School re-built. Surely that has to be more important than a drag strip.
  • 1st District (19/04/2021, 11:23) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    This hulisanating party need to go and take a seat. Look like the col stop work!
  • See (19/04/2021, 11:32) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    There ought to be a law against such stupidity. Polluted air , water running out , and two state of the art sewage plants sitting idle as we pollute the ocean . Beyond any level of amazing such a stupid idea . And to top it off the government will pay twice what they sold it for.
  • Keep Beef Island (19/04/2021, 12:20) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Beef Island has a huge amount of potential BUT not if destroyed like this. The BVI does not need a drag racing strip. The BVI needs GREEN alternatives. This land needs protection from greedy people.
  • Just saying. (19/04/2021, 12:42) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why not a 5 star hotel...I think is better for the economy.
  • vi Fed up (19/04/2021, 12:46) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Premier please fix our primitive infrastrure, roads , Park schools and security, drugs , jobs for young people . where is the plan for recovery from Corvid?
  • UnNeeded (19/04/2021, 13:24) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    We do not require a Drag Race strip nor a stadium.
  • mAN uP (19/04/2021, 13:29) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    It looks as if covid took away your reality sense though
  • lol (19/04/2021, 13:49) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing says tropical paradise vacation destination like a drag racing strip..
    You can't make this stuff up!!
  • WrongWay (19/04/2021, 14:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is 100% the wrong direction. Only thing worse you could do is make an oil refinery there.
    You can pretend that the BVI has not destroyed most of its raw nature.
    You can pretend that the world does not have a MAJOR crisis of extinction of species, biodiversity and an atmosphere damaged by these destructions and by car and oil overuse.
    You can pretend that tourists do not come and visit us because they are attracted by our raw nature, as God made it. You can pretend that it does not matter if your children and grandchildren do not even know the fish and birds and animals in their own homeland.
    You can pretend all of this is not true, for the sake of profit and a few votes. But all of the above is true and important and provable. And this hunger to destroy will come back to bight our people in the short term and the future.
    So this plan - INSANE plan - is 100% in the wrong direction.
    Get real, get serious or even better, get out of government and stop vandalising in the name of your own short term gain.
    Watch. You going to have a fight on your hands.
  • Servant of the Most High God in Christ Jesus (19/04/2021, 14:36) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    WAKE UP DREAMER FROM YOU DROWSY SLEEP. THIS IS A BLINDSIGHTED AND MISGUIDED THOUGHT.

    JESUS SAID, IF THE BLIND BE LEADERS OF THE BLIND BOUT WILL FALL IN THE DITCH. THAT SAYING WAS TRUE THEN. IT IS ALSO TRUE NOW.

    PLEASE, SIR, CHANGE YOUR MIND ON THIS ONE.
  • #natureslittlesecrets (19/04/2021, 14:43) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    One little secret is that all of our tires contain only a little bit of natural rubber, they’re mostly made of plastic, which as you can imagine at a drag racing strip there’ll be lots of. Millions of plastic micro particles will rub off on to the strip and then with rainfall go in to the sea damaging the eco-system. I mean really, is this the best idea that you can come up with? Is the year 1980?
  • Peaches (19/04/2021, 14:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Drag racing, huh? First, it was gambling and now it is drag racing and forcing people to take that vaccine while the roads are pitch black while driving in the night. It is only the mercies of God driving along these dark, crime-invested roads at night. Premier, you are leading us down a slippery slope. Stop because the Great God Almighty is watching.
  • Priorities (19/04/2021, 14:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please fix the incinerator before any other project commences. The health of the people must come first.
  • Miss Match (19/04/2021, 14:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nature's little Secret/ Drag Racing??????
  • lol (19/04/2021, 14:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That vaccine turn these folks crazy...lol
  • imagine (19/04/2021, 15:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine Covid began and our government announced that we would begin having mass gatherings, that everyone must hug and kiss when they enter any shop or government building, that if you sneeze, you must do it into your hand and shake someone else’s hand immediately and if you get Covid symptoms you must go and tell all your neighbors in person by dropping around their house.
    They didn’t do that. Why? Because the science told them the opposite.
    So WHY is this government doing the EXACT OPPOSITE of what the science and the economists say needs to be done with our nature?
    OUR nature. Our children and grandchildren’s nature.
    This is so wrong-headed it defies words. Willfully wrong - choosing to ignore reality for the sake of cash and votes.
    Andrew, go sit under a big tree and listen to what it is trying to tell you. The tree is God.
    Mammon got you by the balls, boss.
  • Strange (19/04/2021, 15:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    So a drag racing track is better for the environment than a golf course and hotel?
  • okay (19/04/2021, 15:35) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    to purchase land and not be from here there is a timelimit for building to be completed. Just take the land as that is exactly what the Chinese would do and they do it!
  • Cooper (19/04/2021, 15:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will never happen, political gimmicks and con games
  • Linda (19/04/2021, 16:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    R I D I C U L O U S! This cannot be true, a drag strip? Sorry, but I have lived abroad and drag strips are horrible for the people living around them. The noise is unbelievable, the car crash dangers are unbelievable, the people's right to live a quiet peaceful life is over, blood pressures will rise and people put on edge from never ending whirling of tires, and most people who cannot bear it anymore sold their homes and moved far away. Our beautiful islands as we know it will be over. The noise will not be contained to Beef Island, the noise pollution will travel much further than that into neighboring neighborhoods. This is not what we the people want. I want to ask the ones in charge of this nightmare, would you want to live here or are you comfortably away to live peacefully? Do to others as you would want for yourself. Why wasn't this brought up in a community meeting? This is very disrespectful, scary, and not thought through at all. This will become a thorn in everyone's side and will be removed. SMDH!!! Quiet Beef Island will be no more......Sad because you will destroy so many people's happiness. Think twice please.
    • Shaft (19/04/2021, 21:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I THINK THAT IS ONLY A DISTRACTION TACTIC WITH A LITTLE TOUCH OF HOLLYWOOD FOR FLAVOUR OR AS IN HIS OWN WORDS " OVERDRIVE " PLEASE ALLOW THAT GENIUS IN YOU TO GET CREATIVE AND FOCUS ON SOMETHING MORE CONSTRUCTIVE LIKE AGRICULTURE THAT WILL BRING A SMILE OUR FOREPARENTS FACES (RIP ) WHO DID IT BEFORE WHICH WAS MORE DIFFICULT COMPARED TO ALL THE THE TECHNOLOGY AT OUR DISPOSAL NOW • LETS GET IT ON BRO
  • Huh? (19/04/2021, 17:23) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    People...not because he mentioned a drag strip means all focus is now on building a drag strip and that has more priority than schools, roads etc. smh. People done ready to collar the man up on a wall.

    Dont't get me wrong..schools, sewage, roads etc. should be high priority..but it doesn't mean that now priority shifted cause of something that is mentioned. The government still needs to find NEW ways to boost economy...
  • Thinking Ahead (19/04/2021, 20:42) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    This man knows drag racing is popular with the wealthy tourists! forget sailing... BVI will be the new racing capital of the world!
  • BuzzBvi (20/04/2021, 08:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
  • Kooh (20/04/2021, 15:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sometime really wrong with these people on the island is like you want every young person to go through this path on robbing and killing
    Obviously ain’t no little children will be able to drag race
    Think! Clowns! Ayo is
  • Waiting on Election (21/04/2021, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Foolish to even think about this when the high school is not yet finished. We need a proper resort hotel on Beef Island instead of a race track.


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