In a landmark announcement, President Luis Abinader and Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz unveiled a transformative investment of two billion pesos aimed at revitalizing sports infrastructure in La Vega province and 27 municipalities. This unprecedented initiative, funded by assets recovered from corruption cases, signifies a pivotal step in leveraging public funds to enhance sports, health, and cultural facilities nationwide. Abinader underscored that this marks the initial phase of a comprehensive strategy to ensure equitable development across all regions of the Dominican Republic.
Minister Cruz elaborated on the ambitious plan, which includes the construction of 25 new roofed sports centers in municipalities currently lacking such amenities. La Vega will witness the creation of the state-of-the-art La Vega Arena, capable of accommodating 4,500 spectators, alongside the refurbishment of the local baseball stadium and the transformation of the Fernando Teruel Sports Center into a dedicated Volleyball Palace. Additionally, the project encompasses the reconstruction of a World Athletics-certified athletics track, the renovation of the Olympic swimming pool, and upgrades to handball and tennis courts.
The initiative extends its reach to San Juan de la Maguana and San Pedro de Macorís, where major sports complexes will undergo extensive renovations, including the addition of pavilions for wrestling, karate, gymnastics, and weightlifting. Cruz emphasized that this endeavor is not merely a promise but a tangible reality in progress, expressing gratitude to President Abinader for converting recovered assets into meaningful opportunities for youth and communities.