Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Territory’s first indoor gym lies in ruins @ Belle Vue

The indoor Belle Vue Gym was destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
Debris still on site of what stood the Belle Vue Gym before Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: VINO
Debris still on site of what stood the Belle Vue Gym before Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: VINO
What used to be the washroom area of the Belle Vue Gym, one of the first indoor facilities with a basketball court in the Territory. Photo: VINO
What used to be the washroom area of the Belle Vue Gym, one of the first indoor facilities with a basketball court in the Territory. Photo: VINO
The destroyed Belle Vue Gym will be rebuilt, according to Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. Photo: VINO
The destroyed Belle Vue Gym will be rebuilt, according to Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. Photo: VINO
A damaged car at the site of the destroyed Belle Vue Gym on Tortola. Photo: VINO
A damaged car at the site of the destroyed Belle Vue Gym on Tortola. Photo: VINO
BELLE VUE, Tortola, VI- It was built in the late 90s before the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex indoor facility in Road Town and way before the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, another indoor facility with a basketball court.

The indoor Belle Vue Gym located on Tortola was a pioneer for indoor facilities, especially for basketball. It was the brainchild of former legislator and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Omar W. Hodge, the political giant who passed away on December 20, 2017.

While it appears that sports and recreational facilities in the Virgin Islands are low on the Government’s list of recovery priorities, hurricanes Irma and Maria dealt a blow to the indoor Belle Vue Gym, flatting and destroying the steel structure.

No Belle Vue gym for years?

Since the two powerful Hurricanes in September of 2017 Government has done little or nothing to clean up the ruins and rubble left and, in some cases, used the site as a dump.

A visit by our newsroom to the site today January 12, 2018 observed that the devastation of the building was left as is,  with an old car next to the site, along with some garbage being thrown there, notwithstanding, there is a garbage bin adjacent to the gym site.

It is unclear what is the future of the facility that was also used by the Joyce Samuel Primary School.

The Belle Vue indoor gym was one of the lasting legacies of the ‘People’s Man’, built by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration between 1999-2003.

With sports facilities on the backburner, it’s unclear the future for the rebuilding of the Belle Vue indoor Gym.

Hon Maduro-Caines wants to rebuild gym

Current Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines, speaking exclusively to our newsroom today, January 12, 2018 lamented the destruction of the indoor sports facility.

"Hon Hodge building that gym was one of the best things that happened in our district, especially for our youth in District 6. It became the main place to host tournaments as it was covered. After a while it became a gym for everyone and not just for the district residents."

Hon Maduro-Caines said she is presently making arrangements to finish removing the debris from that area.

"Some have been removed already by a group led by Principal Orlandette Crabbe of JSPS. It is my plan to rebuild the gym and am now in the process of getting quotations. We need as many sporting facilities as we can get for our youths and a solid maintenance programme put in place," Hon Maduro-Caines added.

13 Responses to “Territory’s first indoor gym lies in ruins @ Belle Vue”

  • Z6 (12/01/2018, 13:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's about time we get stuff done than just talk
    • wize up (12/01/2018, 13:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Z6:I fully agree with you:
    • @Z6 (12/01/2018, 15:39) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      You does get things done with money. Your rep can only wait until she gets money to get things moving, unless you want her either steal, borrow or use her own money to get it move and bulid back. Why you ain't get off your lazy backside and do like what the principal did. Help your community IF you are from Zone6 at all. Like allu ain't see the state of the country financially.
  • Zone 6 (12/01/2018, 13:40) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just talk build back what?
  • Kerry (12/01/2018, 16:12) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Build it back and name it in Mr.Hodge honor.
    Hon.Omar W.Hodge Basketball Gym
  • facts (12/01/2018, 16:18) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    them youths from Belle Vue destroy the gem before the two (2) hurricane Irma and Maria pass lets be real .
    • Xxx (12/01/2018, 17:01) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
      The facility was.not usef solely by the Belle Vue youths. There were folks from East End to West End using it. So who to blame dumba$$.
  • Free bottom (12/01/2018, 17:26) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Unless funny man could get votes and kickbacks he will never touch any rebuilding so the lady with the bag could go from here
    • @Free bottom (13/01/2018, 15:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The lady with the bag can access money from Premier. He is who give her half the money to refurbish that gym a few years ago. Business owners in that district should help out as well. Also other businesses from the various districts as that gym was used by many from outside zone6
  • apple pie (13/01/2018, 07:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Gone with the win. They even can't get the sports complex in town fix must lest this!


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.