ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Minister Seeks Joe Laveist Sport Park Transfer Records as Minister Gerlien Croes says the government is trying to locate the original transfer documents outlining the agreement under which the Joe Laveist Sport Park was placed under the management of Aruba Sport Unie (ASU).
Speaking in an interview, Croes explained that shortly after taking office as the minister responsible for sports, both Fundacion Facilidadnan Deportivo (FFD) and ASU decided to close the Joe Laveist Sport Park because the facility’s lighting system was reportedly in poor condition and required significant maintenance.
The minister said it was disappointing to find that a major public investment had deteriorated after only a decade. According to Croes, ASU owns the facility but had entrusted its day-to-day management to FFD. FFD later informed the government that it did not have the financial or operational capacity to carry out the maintenance required, while ASU indicated it was prepared to return responsibility for the complex.
Croes noted that both organizations receive government subsidies, meaning the issue ultimately remains the government’s responsibility to resolve.
About three weeks ago, the minister requested that the Department of Infrastructure Planning (DIP) search its archives for the original transfer dossier relating to the handover of the facility. She believes the government must have signed agreements when ownership and management responsibilities were transferred to ASU and wants to review those commitments before beginning new negotiations.
According to Croes, discussions cannot move forward without first understanding the original terms and responsibilities established at the time of the transfer.
She added that neither the government nor the organizations involved have yet been able to locate the documents. ASU has also been asked to search its own records for any copies of the original agreement.
The minister said the government’s intention remains to reopen discussions regarding the future management, maintenance, and operation of the Joe Laveist Sport Park once the relevant documentation has been found or the historical arrangements have been clarified.
