The wooden stalls are currently being replaced with a more secure and attractive concrete structure that would house some 14 stalls for vendors. Photo: Reuben Stoby//VINO

The wooden structures are currently being replaced with a more secure and attractive concrete structure that would house some 14 stalls, including one for the VI Horse Owners Association.

According to the President-elect of the Association, Lesmore Smith, vendors have long complained about the poor condition of the stalls and the further discomfort posed to them when it rained.

“It was in a condition where it was all wooden frame with palettes on the ground…. and we ourselves look at it as being deplorable and we talked about it many times but it never came to fruition but fortunately since I have been elected President of the Horse Racing Association I made some requests and as a result of pressing and asking, Sunday a decision was made to go ahead with the project through the Minister of Education Mr. Myron Walwyn, who is now the Minister responsible for this subject and we started on Monday,” Mr. Smith told Virgin Islands News Online.

Mr. Smith is working towards a deadline of Saturday. Photo: VINO

The President, who is also the contractor overseeing the works, has given himself a deadline of one week and in time for the highly anticipated Boxing Day races that would see the usual rivalry between Tortola and St. Thomas. “ If you been here before you would have seen it was all wood from end to end of this structure and what you are seeing here now is three days work, having that taken down, having the concrete casting and just about all the stalls are completely parted and we have already started the plastering. I have given myself a deadline of Saturday and not later than Sunday because horse racing is on Monday so I have tasked myself with one week to having this entire concession area completed and that would be done,” Mr. Smith said on Thursday.

The industrious work team, he said, consists of some 22 persons, including three other contractors who were sought from within the 3rd District. Mr. Smith commended his workmen, who he said, have been pushing themselves to get the work completed to meet the short deadline. “Monday you would see all the colour codes and all the transformation and you will wonder if that could have been done in a week. I took the liberty of taking this under my wings to get it done. I have even been running my office from this location for the past three days so it’s long days working here for us but we should be there on time for the races on Monday.

Speaking of the stall for the VI Horse Owners Association, Mr. Smith said it would be the first time that there would have a stall designated specially for it. “We realised that we do not have a commission to help to promote our races and so we depend on the gates so we have decided get a stall this time around to help us raise funds. In that stall area there will be a lounge that will facilitate any guest, whether local or overseas so we will have a little more respect for our dignitaries coming to our track.”

The paddock can accommodate 6 horses and their jockeys. Photo: VINO

Asked about the cost for the project Mr. Smith said “In fairness I did say to the good representative and the Minister in charge for the portfolio that I don’t know what was the cost laid on the table but if you allow me I will try to bring it for you at the least to under $50, 000, the reason being that is I am trying to do the same cost saving measure while getting value for money and enhance what we are doing. So far I think we are in that zone and we will have our enhancement to where we want it to be.”

In addition to the construction of the new stalls, there has also been a visible development in the centre of the Ellis Thomas Downs. The old building there has been transformed into a paddock area to accommodate six horses and their jockeys.

“Amidst all the critics, as President I pledge to enhance the sport of horse racing and that is what would happen,” Mr. Smith assured.