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New Astro Turf surface being installed @ CB Romney Tortola Pier Park

The Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park is the British Virgin Islands' (BVI) premier cruise and lifestyle destination, located in the capital, Road Town. Reopened as a modernized facility in 2016 and renamed in 2019 to honor the late Hon. Cyril B. Romney—a pioneer of cruise tourism—the complex celebrated its 10th anniversary in February 2026. Photo:VINO/ File
Work has begun on the installation of a permanent Astro Turf surface at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, resulting in the temporary closure of The Lawn at the park. Photo: Facebook/ JTV
Work has begun on the installation of a permanent Astro Turf surface at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, resulting in the temporary closure of The Lawn at the park. Photo: Facebook/ JTV
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Work has begun on the installation of a permanent Astro Turf surface at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, resulting in the temporary closure of The Lawn at the park.

The closure took effect on the night of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until approximately March 15, 2026. This temporary restriction is necessary to allow for the safe and efficient completion of the project.

Closure essential for infrastructure enhancement

According to the management of Tortola Pier Park Ltd, access to the area will be interrupted during this period; however, they emphasised that the closure is essential for a long-planned infrastructure enhancement aimed at significantly improving the durability and year-round appearance of the space.

This project is funded through a partnership with Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR). The management expressed appreciation for this collaboration, noting that it has enabled the advancement of an important capital improvement that will benefit the wider community for years to come.

 Project steps 

The project will involve several steps, including the removal of the existing turf and soil, the installation of a compacted gravel base and weed barrier, the laying of the new Astro Turf system, and a final site cleanup. 

This upgrade replaces the previous grass surface, which suffered significant wear after hosting high-traffic seasonal events like VISAR’s Winter Wonderland. The installation was delayed from its original late 2025 schedule due to shipping congestion, but is now actively underway as of late February 2026.

14 Responses to “New Astro Turf surface being installed @ CB Romney Tortola Pier Park”

  • Cindy (27/02/2026, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    moving on up
  • Tenant (27/02/2026, 10:17) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Zoe ah wuk
  • smh (27/02/2026, 11:09) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It may be practical, but I have to admit that I don't see replacing grass with astro turf as an improvement. In direct sunlight, it retains more heat than natural grass, getting as hot as 165 degrees F (the same heat at which chicken is considered fully cooked), it can contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals (think of small children playing on it and putting their hands in their mouths or touching their eyes). In addition, we see all the concerns about micro plastics getting into everything and we install a large plastic ground cover in a public area. Go figure!
  • Lb (27/02/2026, 11:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who else thinks that the timing of this is just absolutely perfect? Right in the thick of the cruise tourism seasons. Just great!
  • Marty Probasco (27/02/2026, 11:53) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    natural grass is best. What Gad Fly has stung these people.
  • please (27/02/2026, 14:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any smart parent would try to keep their children off that chemical grass they plan on placing down there. Anything for pure profit buddy, this project only in place to host more events (which isnt bad) without having to go thru maintenance. This is merely just a lazy and cheap fix as opposed to an "upgrade".
  • over (27/02/2026, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The season soon over.
  • LOL (27/02/2026, 16:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The natural grass was severely affected by the placement of VISARS ice skating rink in December. The placement was heavily discouraged by many of the adjacent businesses, but to no avail, the event prevailed in that spot. As envisioned, the grass was damaged (could have been avoided), but here we are.
    Now they are replacing the spot with Astroturf.
    "This project is funded through a partnership with Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR). The management expressed appreciation for this collaboration". The management shouldn't be expressing appreciation; the replacement should be expected. You break it, you bought it. Just don't be surprised if that area becomes the permanent placement each year.
  • Nice (27/02/2026, 17:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Really nice! I like that
  • A few words (27/02/2026, 18:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Incompetent, lazy, idiots, big egos, no direction, no improvement, no sense, no vision, no patience, no consideration, fools, ignorant, show off. This the person or persons or body that made this decision to put artificial grass there.
  • BuzzBvi (27/02/2026, 19:00) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Weren't we trying to claim the Crown of leading Environmental Champions. Ha ha. Plastic Grass. We'll be replacing the Sea Grass next. Oh we are already doing that with landfill and derelict vehicles!!
  • Fix (27/02/2026, 20:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The smoking off the trees in the back. It’s too overbearing.
  • Schuups (28/02/2026, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So when he fowls ????????????????????????????????????up on it, who's gonna lean it?


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