RISC rehabilitation expected to be completed by August 2027, NSI highlights funding challenges

GREAT BAY--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has confirmed that rehabilitation works at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex (RISC) are scheduled for completion by August 4, 2027, with repairs to the western bleachers expected to be completed earlier in the year. The announcement comes as National Sports Institute (NSI) Director Jisk Goslinga has highlighted the financial challenges involved in restoring, upgrading and maintaining St. Maarten's sporting facilities to international standards.

Providing an update during the 2027 national budget debate, Minister Gumbs outlined the timelines for several major components of the rehabilitation project, which is being executed through the Trust Fund under the management of the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).

According to the Minister, repairs to the West Bleacher are expected to be completed by January 29, 2027, while rehabilitation works on the Main Building Tribune are scheduled for completion by July 19, 2027.

The installation of stadium seating in both areas is also expected to be completed by July 19, 2027, with the overall rehabilitation project scheduled to conclude on August 4, 2027.

Gumbs cautioned, however, that the dates represent the current projected timelines and could change depending on construction conditions, material availability, weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

The Minister said the Ministry of ECYS will continue monitoring the progress of the rehabilitation works in coordination with the NRPB.

The project is part of ongoing efforts to restore sports infrastructure that suffered extensive damage during the hurricanes of 2017 and to improve the condition of facilities used by athletes, schools, sports organizations and the wider community.

NSI Director Highlights Financial Challenges

Meanwhile, NSI Director Jisk Goslinga has acknowledged that financing remains one of the greatest obstacles to restoring and upgrading the country's sports facilities, particularly when improvements are expected to meet international standards.

Speaking during an interview on the Know Your Sports, St. Martin program, Goslinga explained that NSI has spent the past several years prioritizing the physical rehabilitation of sporting facilities, with considerable resources directed toward repairs, renovations and infrastructure improvements.

He noted that while the organization aims to provide facilities that meet the requirements of different sporting disciplines, limited financial resources sometimes require difficult choices and alternative approaches.

Goslinga illustrated the challenge by discussing improvements to a softball infield, explaining that specialized materials required to achieve the desired standard could cost approximately US$200,000.

However, when only US$10,000 is available, NSI must explore more affordable alternatives, even when those solutions cannot deliver the same quality as the preferred materials.

The example, he explained, reflects the practical realities of carrying out sports infrastructure improvements within limited budgets.

Goslinga said some of the larger rehabilitation projects have been made possible through government capital investments, which provide financing for major infrastructure works rather than routine maintenance.

He cited the rehabilitation of the athletics track and football field as examples of improvements supported through capital expenditure allocations.

Other upgrades have depended on collaboration with private sector organizations willing to support the development of public sporting facilities.

Among the partnerships highlighted were contributions from Windward Islands Bank toward a playground project near Raoul Illidge Sports Complex and financial support from the Port for improved lighting infrastructure at the Sports Auditorium.

Major Repairs Underway Across Sports Facilities

Goslinga also confirmed that the long-awaited NRPB rehabilitation works were underway, including repairs to district sports courts and larger sporting facilities.

He explained that NSI continues to undertake additional improvements alongside these major projects, including work on a boxing facility and upgrades to the Boardwalk Sports Park.

The organization is responsible for managing and maintaining approximately 70,000 square meters of sporting infrastructure, including major complexes, multipurpose facilities and public district courts.

This responsibility extends beyond physical repairs to daily operations, facility rentals, routine maintenance and providing suitable conditions for sporting organizations and community programs.

Goslinga explained that NSI's three-year strategic plan had focused heavily on rehabilitating facilities damaged by the hurricanes, with the intention of gradually shifting greater attention toward sports development programs as the infrastructure improvements advance.

He acknowledged that this focus had meant less attention could be directed toward some community programming initiatives while the organization worked to restore the facilities needed to support those activities.

Protecting Investments Remains a Concern

Beyond the financing of renovations, Goslinga emphasized the importance of protecting public investments through proper maintenance and responsible use of sporting facilities.

He identified vandalism as a recurring problem, pointing to instances of damage and misuse at public sports courts.

According to Goslinga, NSI has implemented stricter regulations at certain facilities, including footwear requirements at the athletics track and Sports Auditorium, to protect playing surfaces and preserve the quality of the renovations.

He also expressed concern about children climbing on basketball equipment and fences at public courts, noting the expense and logistical effort involved in acquiring and installing specialized sporting equipment on St. Maarten.

The NSI director stressed that improvements to public facilities must be accompanied by a commitment to maintaining them so that the investments continue benefiting the community.

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